We're Going The Distance to help patients with cancer at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
This September, we’re going the distance for our friend and my husband Igor. Lifehouse is a place of hope and with more funding hopefully means more cures which means people like Iggy can live longer lives and children like Tilly don’t have to lose a parent.
Cat Stalmachowski, Em Mattick, Clara, Sam Morrison, and I are stepping up. We are doing something we never thought we would — pushing our limits in honour of an extraordinary man.
In September 2024, my husband Igor was in ICU, fighting for his life. Hooked up to machines, surrounded by monitors and drains, he could barely walk. But every single day, I watched him try. He fought to get out of bed. He pushed to take just one lap around ICU, dragging all those tubes and wires with him, because giving up simply wasn't in his nature.
He finally made it out of ICU and back to the ward. We held onto hope. We believed we’d bring him home. But unfortunately complications took him from us quickly in the October.
These past months have been the most painful of my life. The grief has been heavy. The absence of Igor — my husband, my person — is beyond words.
But Igor was a force of light and strength. He never complained, not once, through nearly two years of chronic pain. He kept showing up to life. He kept walking. He kept trying to get back to the gym, and had high hopes of playing volleyball again (even with a new hip). He never stopped going the distance — even when every step hurt.
And now, we’re going the distance in his honour.
Honestly, Igor would laugh — running long distances or doing any form of long distance exercise is notmy thing. But this isn’t just for Iggy. This is for Tilly, too. To show her what strength looks like. What love, grit, and perseverance look like. What it means to carry someone’s spirit forward with you.
We're going the distance because Igor never stopped trying. And neither will we.
P.S. My “distance” will most likely be covered in laps at the pool — and Sam joked his might be carved out on a snowboard somewhere on the slopes. But regardless of how we each get there, we’re all going the distance together.
I’m incredibly grateful for this group of friends who continue to lift me up, keep me going, and walk (or swim… or snowboard) beside me through it all. Thank you for being a strength for Iggy and for me during some incredibly hard and sad times.
Lifehouse is a place of hope and with more funding hopefully means more cures which means people like Iggy can live longer lives and children like Tilly don’t have to lose a parent.
We're going to get moving every day in September to reach our goal for the month. With your support, every km we cover will ensure more people across NSW can access life-changing, specialist cancer care, in an environment that feels like home.
Please support us by making a donation. All donations will help Chris O’Brien Lifehouse provide compassionate, research-driven cancer care, as well as holistic support services that ease the burden of distance for regional patients.
Thank you for your support!
Thank you to our Sponsors
$211
Sharan, Daniel And Alex
$211
Matthew Reardon
To my Darling sister Jess and niece Matilda. So proud of you both. Also thanks to that army that also supports them!! Love youse all. $100 for Iggy $100 for John Miss you boys!
$200
Rita & Barney Kennedy
Hi Jess Well done keep on going the distance best wishes Lots of love and support Rita and Barney Kennedy
$106
Louise And Peter Paisley
You are strong Jess, we know you can go the distance for those in your heart.
$106
Mujic
❤️❤️
$106
Marie
$106
Uncle Jonny
Good on ya Chooky!
$106
James Unsworth
<3
$106
Gerard Reardon
$106
Cathy And Garry
$106
Lara Fabian
$106
Michelle And Has
Well done everyone on a huge effort!
$106
Lou Pow
$106
Neg Photography
Fabulous efforts ladies
$106
Jane
$106
Marie Reardon
$104
Brandon Sheahen
$80
Catherine Tanza
❤️❤️ you will always have our support xx
$75
Zoya M
You have the biggest heart ♥️
$75
Carla And Tim Murphy
$75
Matched Gift
Thank you for supporting Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.
$54
Anonymous
$54
Anonymous
You got this Jess and Tilly 🩷🙏🏻
$54
Ks
$54
Vivienne Rofe
$54
Anonymous
Well done!
$54
<3 Randi And Holly
$54
Graeme Nielson
Onya Clara!
$54
Ally M
$54
The Gann’s
Amazing work team! Making Iggy proud 💕
$54
Matched Gift
Thank you for supporting Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.
$54
Lisa Harrison
If anyone can go the distance it’s you ! Lots of love Lisa x
$54
William & Sophie J
Gooooo team! you guys are amazing and an inspiration 😍
$54
Jubby
$54
Miljenko Mileusnic
$54
Caitlin
Xx
$54
Anonymous
$53
Victoria Clark
Thinking of you all 💜
$53
Anonymous
$50
Sarah Meoli And Family
All the best Jess! We are all so proud of you and the team. Xxx
$50
Fran & Andrew
So proud of you, Jess.
$50
Jonathan Yaw
$50
Jenny Towers
With you every step Cat!
$50
Charmaine Sandral
So proud of you. This is such a beautiful way to honour Iggy and his family xx
$50
Elizabeth Bova-press
We stand with you Jess and Tilly and send our love and support ❤️
$44
Mell B
$43
Anonymous
$38
Clara
$38
Emily Mattick
$30
Imogen Campbell
$28
Sandra Soames
$23
Ali Bignell
$23
Anonymous
What a good way to honour your friend Clara♥️
$23
Lily N
You’re amazing 💕
$23
Chloe Boyse
💕
$17
Megan
Well done Clara.
Lots of love from all of us xo