Taneen O'connor - Peak Purpose - Climbing for a Cure in memory of Chris

I'm doing it for cancer!

In memory of my beautiful mum, taken February 8th 2026 at 67 years of small cell lung cancer. In honour of her brave battle, im taking on one of Australia's toughest and most iconic hikes, the Overland Track in Tasmania in November.

Over six days, I'll trek around 80km through rugged alpine wilderness, mostly 1000m above sea level, carrying everything I need on my back, no guide, no phone service, just a group of girls in nature, camping each night in a tent and facing unpredictable mountain conditions - sun, rain, snow or gale force winds.

Every step, every time my legs ache & the days I might want to give up will be for my Mum and for every family whose life has been touched by cancer, their battle, their fight and the days they kept going when they wanted to give up.

If my challenge can help fund research, support services and hope for others, every blister, climb and kilometre will be worth it ❤️

I’m doing this to get out of my comfort zone, challenge myself & do only what people dream of to support Cancer Council in their mission for a cancer free future.

1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, I’m putting my body to the test to raise funds and show my support.

I'm fundraising for cancer research

Raised

$4,162

My Goal

$3,500

Select amount to donate

$25

Protects 15 children from potentially harmful sun exposure through our SunSmart school programs.

$50

Can help pay for the collection and processing of a blood sample.

$150

Facilitates a Telephone Support Group for 8 people who are affected by advanced cancer, including carers and those bereaved.

$500

Provides up to one week of funding for a vacation scholarship for a research student.

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The money I’ve raised so far could help:

Provide 2492 kids with a SunSmart education

The money I’ve raised so far could help:

Fund 114 calls to trained cancer professionals on 13 11 20

The money I’ve raised so far could help:

Fund 34 days of a PHD student’s world-class research

My Updates

63 days let's go 🤘

Sunday 20th Sep

Been a hot minute... 👋

63 days until the Overland Track! 🏔️

Early mornings, around 200km hiked over the past 4 mths exploring the South Coast, strength & isolation sessions, all backed by a whole lot of determination.

Every step of this 80km journey we're doing has a purpose, walking for a cure, honouring my mum's legacy & raising money for families going through the horrible journey we were part of.

Can you believe 8 months have gone by without my mum by my side?

I'm the strongest I've been mentally & physically, I'm the most determined I've ever been & I'm learning that grief doesn't have to stop you from living. If anything, it's given me even more reason to make every moment count.

I wish Mum could see what I'm doing. I wish I could pick up the phone and tell her about every mountain I've climbed, every milestone I've reached and every little win along the way.

But I know she'd be bloody proud. ❤️

63 days out. Let's bloody go! 💪🏔️

Quality of time

Tuesday 18th Aug

96 days out & I've been thinking a lot about quality of life.

My mum spent her last 3 wks in ICU. She couldn't walk when we got her home, her independence was gone & 2 days later attempting to get her to chemo, I took 1 look at her & was faced with the decision no one should ever have to face, not only as her daughter, but as her legal medical decision maker, and that was, to palliate my own mum.

At that moment, I had to look beyond how desperately I wanted more time with her and ask what that time would actually look like for her.

That decision will stay with me forever.

But it also taught me something I refuse to forget: we do not get unlimited time.

So when people wonder why I train so hard, climb mountains, chase adventures, push myself, start again and keep going after life has knocked the absolute shit out of me, this is why.

I’ve seen the difference between being alive and truly living.

My resilience didn’t come from an easy life. It came from surviving the moments I thought would flatten me and deciding that, while I’m still here, I’m going to bloody live, not just exist, live.

Insert me doing my 6 day hike in the tassie alpines, for my mum, who in the end couldn't even walk. 96 days out & Ive hit $3100 raised in her legacy. This money helps families like mine. Medications, transport, accommodation, research & support for families. This is just my Mum's & my family's story, there's are endless stories like ours out there.

Resilience.. .

Saturday 18th Jul

Resilience.

Before turning 40, I'd lost both of my parents—my dad to a cardiac arrest at just 41, and my mum to cancer at 68.

I made a choice. I wasn't going to let grief consume me or define the rest of my life.

A few months ago, a friend gave me an opportunity: to hike the Overland Track, it's all I ever think about now. At first, I said yes because it sounded like a challenge. But it quickly became so much more than that. It became a way to process everything I'd been through over the past 18 months and to prove to myself that I was still capable of moving forward.

Then came the idea of fundraising in Mum's memory. An idea that became reality. I'm honestly blown away that little old me has raised $2,800 in honour of her legacy.

Along the way, I've continued to work fulltime, study a grad dip part time, show up every day for my four incredible humans, train consistently, and climb a mountain every week in preparation for November.

It's not because I'm fearless. It's not because I'm stronger than anyone else. It's because resilience is a choice you make every single day. Life is too short not to do something meaningful with the time we're given.

If this year has taught me anything, it's that life can break your heart and still leave room for purpose, growth, adventure, and strength.

To everyone who's donated, shared my fundraiser, followed along, or simply encouraged me, thank you.

Your support has meant more than you'll ever know. ❤️

Thank you to my supporters

$300

Drs Delivery Pty Ltd

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$216.50

Donna Jay

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$216.50

Matt Gray Mdg.712

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$215

Karen Taylor

So proud of you ♥️

$163.43

Hamo

53 days til we do this. I know Chris is up there smiling and calling us mad fools but she’d be proud. Love ya lots. Let’s make some amazing memories whilst raising money! 💋♥️

$145.21

Trayton Wilkinson

❤️

$106.75

Anthea Brumerskyj

You've got this!

$106.12

Joel

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$106.12

David Caldwell

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$106.12

Noah Oconnor

Love you mum good luck

$103.72

Trayton Wilkinson

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$100

Anonymous

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$100

Rhianon Tebbutt

Hope this helps ❤️ always us x

$100

Jo Saint

You are amazing, as was your mum. It's my honour to push you over the goal you set for donations. So proud of you T, I know you will smash this trek as you do in all the things you aim for. Travel safe, big hugs and well done xx

$100

Bec Houghton

For you mumma 💖

$100

Amy Pfeiffer

Mum would be so proud of you sissy ❤️

$55.95

Samantha Worthington

Proud of you

$55.95

Nicole Williams

Good luck xx

$55.95

Jessica Zibellini

I believe in you. For your mums x

$55.95

Liam

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$55.95

Hayley Dolphin

Such a beautiful way to honour your mum’s memory. Your strength and determination are truly inspiring, and I have no doubt she would be incredibly proud of you. Wishing you all the best for this amazing challenge! ❤️

$55.95

Chris Marley

Great job, ladies

$55.95

Dave Palmer

Proud of you Taneen you are tough as hell

$55.95

Sharyn B

Hoping this donation takes you over the $4000 mark. Enjoy your trek and stay safe you legend xxx

$55.95

Groovy Jamieson

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$55.95

Georgia S

💛 for your Mumma xxx

$55.95

Kylie B

One step love one step courage, you got this!

$54.84

Joshua Edwards

Legend

$54.84

Eva

Love you T xx

$54.84

Belinda Snow

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$54.84

Di X

❤️

$54.84

Nim

All the best Taneen!

$54.84

Kerryn Daley

You are a superstar xx

$50

Shaun

Good on ya big dog :)

$50

Cheyne Bernoth

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$50

Nicole Woodford

You guys are amazing! Well done!

$50

Jared Brown

Enjoy your trip legend, gunna miss ya at the gym while your gone but have fun and look for the little signs that mums with ya hey. ❤️

$50

Karen And Andy

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$50

Lina Arnold

Good luck. All the best .

$50

Tracey Blacker

Go you good thing

$50

Anonymous

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$48.43

Kat

Rounding it up to the goal. Go get it girls! <3

$36

Jack

You got this.. Keep on grinding 💪

$30

B 🤠

You are nothing but a inspiring human being. Your strength, resilience and overall who you are is something to be proud of. Keep being you !

$28.81

Tyson

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$28.81

Nicole Carstairs

You are so inspiring, your mum would be so proud. Wishing you all the best. X

$28.81

Karen Sharp

Your Mum was always proud of her Children and Grandchildren way to go

$28.81

Jessica Richards

Thinking of you always and good luck for your trip!!

$28.43

Carla Rutherford

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$28.43

Chris Marley

Go girl!

$28.43

Tracey Robinson

💕💪🏻

$28.43

Sal X

Go girl. So proud of you 👏

$28.43

Stu Bradshaw

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$28.43

Alexandra Mahoney

All the best on the hike my friend! Can you do a couple of steps for my dad too? Lung Ca took him also. X

$28.43

Jen Murphy

What an amazing duo, doing amazing things xx

$25

Lenny

🫶💪⛰️

$25

Dan Pereira

Good luck!
Thanks for helping tackle cancer

$23.50

Corinne And Allen Hamilton (and Kids ❤️)

You are pure inspiration! We wish you a wonderful, safe journey xx

$23.50

Kayley

Your beautiful mumma 💖 & so proud of you!

$6.20

Robin Mckenzie

Hey Taneen. I knew your mum and loved her XGod only takes the best ❤️❤️She hasn’t gone …. She’s merely sleeping 🙏🦋

Peak Purpose - Climbing for a Cure in memory of Chris

I'm doing it for cancer!

I'm fundraising for cancer research

Raised

$4,162

My Goal

$3,500

Select amount to donate

Or enter an amount

The money I’ve raised so far could help:

The money I’ve raised so far could help:

The money I’ve raised so far could help:

My Updates

63 days let's go 🤘

Quality of time

Resilience.. .

Thank you to my supporters

Drs Delivery Pty Ltd

Donna Jay

Matt Gray Mdg.712

Karen Taylor

Hamo

Trayton Wilkinson

Anthea Brumerskyj

Joel

David Caldwell

Noah Oconnor

Trayton Wilkinson

Anonymous

Rhianon Tebbutt

Jo Saint

Bec Houghton

Amy Pfeiffer

Samantha Worthington

Nicole Williams

Jessica Zibellini

Liam

Hayley Dolphin

Chris Marley

Dave Palmer

Sharyn B

Groovy Jamieson

Georgia S

Kylie B

Joshua Edwards

Eva

Belinda Snow

Di X

Nim

Kerryn Daley

Shaun

Cheyne Bernoth

Nicole Woodford

Jared Brown

Karen And Andy

Lina Arnold

Tracey Blacker

Anonymous

Kat

Jack

B 🤠

Tyson

Nicole Carstairs

Karen Sharp

Jessica Richards

Carla Rutherford

Chris Marley

Tracey Robinson

Sal X

Stu Bradshaw

Alexandra Mahoney

Jen Murphy

Lenny

Dan Pereira

Corinne And Allen Hamilton (and Kids ❤️)

Kayley

Robin Mckenzie

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