Every time Cathy Sertori sets off up Mount Kosciuszko for the Kosi Challenge, she’s thinking about the 52,000 people each year diagnosed with rare, less common and complex cancers.

“I’ve had the privilege of meeting many people who’ve had to battle a rare  cancer, some of whom are not with us today,” she said.

“Each time I walk up the mountain I’m reflecting and thinking of them and their legacy.”

First introduced to Rare Cancers Australia (RCA) through her previous roles in the pharmaceutical industry, Cathy has now started her own business, Creative Advocacy Solutions, with patients always top of mind.

“I’m here to help advocate for change – whether that’s a big change or a smaller change – and to share how important having that patient voice is,” she said.

This focus on patients has given Cathy an affinity with Rare Cancers Australia RCA, and she’s jumped at the opportunity to support our inaugural Corporate Giving Day for this year’s Kosi Challenge.

On Thursday 7 March, every donation to a Kosi Challenger will be matched up to a total of $20,000, thanks to Creative Advocacy Solutions.

Cathy said knowing every dollar raised through the Kosi Challenge would go directly towards the delivery of frontline services for patients was one of the things she loved about the event.

Now preparing for her eighth trip up Mount Kosciuszko, Cathy said the event was “a great leveller” for the rare community.

“You don’t know if you’re walking with a CEO or a patient,” she said.

“People can share their stories or they can just be walking together in silence, supporting and encouraging each other.

“It is a big commitment to go, but the minute you arrive you get that real sense of community and purpose.”

If you’d like to double your impact this Kosi Challenge, remember to let your supporters know their donations will be matched on Thursday 7 March, making it the perfect time to sponsor your walk.