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Peak Purpose - Climbing for a Cure in memory of Chris

By Taneen O'connor

Please Help Me Reach My Goal

Raised

$3,157

My Goal

$3,500

Select amount to donate

$25
Provides resources to help people in the workplace support a colleague diagnosed with cancer.
$50
Makes sure there’s a cancer nurse available on 13 11 20 to offer practical information and emotional support to callers.
$230
Provides a financial assistance grant to someone with cancer experiencing severe financial difficulties, to help them travel to their treatments, pay their rent or keep their lights on.
$900
Funds a high-performing science student working in a research lab for 3 weeks, enabling them to conduct ground-breaking research into new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

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My Activity Tracking

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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. 

My Updates

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. 

Quality of life

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.$3100 was hit today, 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

$216.50

Donna Jay

$216.50

Matt Gray Mdg.712

$215

Karen Taylor

So proud of you ♥️

$145.21

Trayton Wilkinson

❤️

$106.12

Joel

$106.12

David Caldwell

$106.12

Noah Oconnor

Love you mum good luck

$103.72

Trayton Wilkinson

$100

Anonymous

$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

Dave Palmer

Proud of you Taneen you are tough as hell

$55.95

Groovy Jamieson

$54.84

Joshua Edwards

Legend

$54.84

Eva

Love you T xx

$54.84

Belinda Snow

$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

$50

Nicole Woodford

You guys are amazing! Well done!

$50

Karen And Andy

$50

Lina Arnold

Good luck. All the best .

$50

Tracey Blacker

Go you good thing

$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

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

$28.43

Carla Rutherford

$28.43

Chris Marley

Go girl!

$28.43

Tracey Robinson

💕💪🏻

$28.43

Sal X

Go girl. So proud of you 👏

$28.43

Stu Bradshaw

$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

Dan Pereira

$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 🙏🦋