For those in the Australian medical industry, the Kosi Challenge is one of the most heartwarming moments of the year.
Serving as Rare Cancers Australia’s (RCA) major fundraising event, the event has been held in March each year since 2013.
It sees patients living with rare and less common cancers, their families, and representatives from across the medical sector, descend on Thredbo to climb to our country’s highest point, the summit of Mount Kosciuszko.
The goal is simple, to raise much needed funds and awareness for Australians affected by rare, less common and complex cancers.
It is a cause that is close to RCA CEO Christine Cockburn’s heart, one which drives her and her team every day.
 |
“The Kosi Challenge is the one time of the year where our community really comes together,” Ms Cockburn said.
“The patients we look after come along and share their stories, families and friends are walking for people they know and they love, industry connects with our cause and gives back, there’s a lot of heart in this event.” “It’s just a real coming together of all of the ingredients that makes up who we are as an organisation and brings us back to our purpose. And to do that in such a beautiful setting I think is incredibly unique and very, very special. It’s a real highlight on the RCA team’s calendar.” |
The event has proven so successful that this year’s Kosi will be the biggest ever, with the Challenge running across two days (15th & 16th March) for the first time, aiming to raise a game-changing $750,000.
But what is most important to Ms Cockburn is seeing patients and industry come together for such a worthy cause.
“All the stakeholders that we work with have some part to play in improving lives and outcomes for rare cancer patients,” she said. “The people that we work and partner with, the people that join us at Kosi and work with us daily, year in, year out, are all part of the solution.”
“We see it as a complex policy area, but a multi-stakeholder solution is the only way that we can really deliver equitable outcomes.”
Improving outcomes is the key driver for RCA, with funds raised going directly into patient programs, delivered by RCA’s specialist cancer navigation team.
“We feel very strongly that we support people in navigating their rare cancer journey today whilst we work really hard to address policies for the patients of tomorrow,” Ms Cockburn said. “So all of the money goes to supporting our specialist cancer navigators delivering our incredible programs, which are all specifically designed to meet the unmet needs of people living in Australia with a rare or less common cancer.
“We’ve been listening to people and learning from them for over 12 years, we know our programs make a real difference and everybody that joins Kosi or makes a donation can be assured that they are contributing to those programs.”
“For example, our Specialist Cancer Navigators are seeing the cost of living crisis have a particular impact on our community with an increased number of patients deciding to skip appointments and even treatment, opting instead to support their families by putting food on the table and paying bills.
“It is a devastating choice no one should have to make. The demand on our crisis fund, which assists patients with emergency costs, is higher than ever and depends significantly on the successful fundraising efforts of the teams and individuals joining us for the Kosi Challenge,” Ms Cockburn said.
In total, the Kosi Challenge has raised more than $4 million to support these vital programs.
But this success didn’t just appear out of nowhere. The work of Richard and Kate Vines to support and grow RCA is not lost on their current CEO.
“I think the work that Richard and Kate have done over the last 12 years to gather support from a multi-stakeholder, multi-spectrum community is truly unique and very special; and we’re really, really proud of it,” Ms Cockburn reflected.
While all eyes will be on the mountain in March, RCA is focused keenly on the rest of what 2024 has to bring. When asked about the organisation’s objectives for the future Ms Cockburn said:
“Last year we launched the Rarification report at CANForum and we had some really strong policy asks, and those policy asks are our leading light for our strategy for the next three years in policy change.”
“There’s a lot of incredible goodwill and momentum in the cancer space at the moment. A lot of great investment, a lot of positivity, a lot of acknowledgement of reform that needs to go on.
“One thing that we’re particularly pioneering in our policy recommendations, is the need for a national genomic strategy that recognises the needs of all Australians living with cancer in an equitable and accessible way.”
When asked about current shortfalls in the space, Ms Cockburn was clear, the need for improved data is paramount.
“We need better data in the rare cancer space. There’s a significant blind spot over the realities of rare and less common cancers with regards to data in Australia,” she said. “It is the same message that we’ve had for some time, but it feels like we’re in a time and a place where these things can really become a reality.
“To quote Richard [Vines]: he says ‘in God, we trust, and everyone else bring data.’”
“Genomic strategy, better data and better outcomes. It’s exciting because it’s a reality right now. Now is the time and we are the people, and I think we’ll be able to achieve real positive change in this space over the next three years. I really feel optimistic about it.”
But as March 15 closes in, Christine’s advice to anyone on the fence about coming to experience the Kosi Challenge is simple: “Come and try it. You will not regret it. It is truly a heartwarming and memorable event.”
Tickets are still available for the 2024 Kosi Challenge. To sign up for the climb or a digital walking challenge, or to support the cause by making a donation visit www.kosichallenge.com.au
