Jo De Smet

I am climbing for Tess

The Kosi Challenge is the single signature fundraiser for Rare Cancers Australia (RCA), with the sole purpose of raising awareness and much needed funds for people across Australia impacted by rare and less common cancers.

In March 2026, I'll be climbing with hundreds of others, in support of rare, in memory of Tess McMurtrie

All funds raised through the Kosi Challenge goes directly towards funding the individualised, 360 degree person centred support that RCA’s team of specialist cancer navigators provide for patients, carers and their families.

a few words about Tess...

In 2020 Tess was 20 years old and had an adventurous spirit with a love of travel, exploring her creative ideas and a curious nature, studying fashion design at RMIT. She loved the outdoors, especially swimming in the ocean and walking in the bush near her home in Anglesea. She was diagnosed with metastatic osteosarcoma in December 2020. For the next three years she endured brutal chemotherapy, the amputation of her right leg above the knee, multiple lung surgeries and radiotherapy. Throughout this time she advocated for adolescent youth cancer and awareness of osteosarcoma. In September 2023 Tess passed away. 

It is hard to believe that the chemotherapy treatment for osteosarcoma has not changed in the last 40 years and there are no clinical trials for metastatic osteosarcoma. It is our hope that Rare Cancers can advocate for this rare cancer that takes many young adults and support patients and family through this most devastating journey.