On Saturday 14 March 2026, 14 Lilly Australia employees participated in the ‘Kosi Challenge’, Rare Cancers Australia’s (RCA) annual fundraising event. Together, the ‘Eli Hilly’ group climbed Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak, raising more than US$17,600 to support people affected by rare and less common cancers.
This marked the second consecutive year that Lilly Australia employees participated in the challenge. The experience brought together colleagues, friends, family and supporters beyond the organisation, united by a shared commitment to improving outcomes for patients who often face complex and under‑recognised challenges.
About the Kosi Challenge
The Kosi Challenge is Rare Cancers Australia’s major annual fundraising initiative, held every March (since 2013). Participants can take part in person by climbing Mount Kosciuszko or virtually by completing a 21‑kilometre walk or run over the same weekend.
The challenge brings together patients, families, carers, healthcare professionals, community members, and organisational partners from across Australia. Its purpose is to raise funds for patient support services while increasing awareness of the unique barriers faced by people living with rare and less common cancers.
All funds raised through the Kosi Challenge go directly to RCA’s Patient Support Team. This team provides practical, personalised assistance, including help navigating diagnosis, accessing specialist care and treatments, connecting with support services, and offering financial assistance during times of crisis. The Kosi 2026 challenge raised over US$791,000 for Rare Cancers Australia, beating their original target of US$750,000.
Rare cancers
Rare cancers are cancers with a low incidence in the population. While each rare cancer is uncommon, together they represent a significant proportion of cancer diagnoses. Despite advances in cancer science and treatment, people with rare cancers often experience delayed diagnosis, limited treatment options, and inequitable access to specialist care, clinical trials, and genomic testing. Geographic distance and financial burden can further compound these challenges.
The Lilly team was proud to take part in the Rare Cancers Australia Kosi Challenge for a second year. While rare cancer is central to the patients we serve as a company, it has also personally impacted many within our team through friends and family members. We climbed with this reality in mind, coming together as a team and community to raise awareness and support the invaluable work Rare Cancers Australia does to ensure no patient is left behind.
The climb
On the morning of Saturday 14 March, the group of 14 Lilly employees and 10 additional guests set out on the climb to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. Conditions varied throughout the day, and participants moved at different paces depending on experience and fitness; what remained constant was a strong sense of mutual support.
Participants checked in on one another, paused when needed, and shared the experience along the way. For some, the challenge was physically demanding; for others, it offered time for reflection — particularly on the patients and families the fundraising effort was designed to support. Reaching the summit was experienced not as an individual achievement, but as a collective one.
Fundraising and impact
Through individual fundraising efforts, team activities, and broader support from colleagues and networks, the group raised US$17,611. These funds will directly support RCA’s Patient Support Team, helping ensure that people affected by rare and less common cancers have access to guidance, advocacy, and practical assistance throughout their journey.
Beyond the financial contribution, the challenge also helped prompt conversations about rare cancers — particularly the need for earlier diagnosis, equitable access to innovation, and patient‑centred support models that recognise the complexity of these conditions.
Looking ahead
While the climb itself took place over a single day, the impact of the funds raised will extend far beyond it, supporting patients and families at critical moments in their care.
As the team reflects on the 2026 Kosi Challenge, the focus remains on the individuals and communities who benefit from Rare Cancers Australia’s work, and on the continued need to advocate for equitable access, scientific progress, and compassionate support for people affected by rare and less common cancers.