The Onesies
Pina and Kellie are cousins, survivors, and this year, first-time participants in Marilyn’s — not just to raise vital funds for the Cancer Council, but to celebrate the fact that they are still here.
Their reason is deeply personal.
Pina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. Kellie followed in 2023. Within a year of each other, both women found themselves navigating a reality no one is ever prepared for — mastectomies, chemotherapy, radiation, and the long, gruelling road that follows. Treatment was relentless. Recovery was anything but linear. And yet, here they stand — choosing laughter, connection, and purpose.
Cancer, sadly, was not new to their family. Long before their own diagnoses, they witnessed its devastating reach. Pina’s mum bravely underwent breast cancer treatment years earlier, and in 1994, they lost their beloved Aunty Maree.
“We watched our beautiful Aunty Marie go from being the life of the party — always the first one on the dance floor — to enduring years of brutal treatment until cancer finally took her,” they share. “She was far too young.”
That history made their own diagnoses confronting, but it also lit a fire.
As mothers — Pina and Kellie are deeply aware of what survivorship truly means. Life doesn’t simply ‘return to normal’ after chemo and radiation. Instead, it becomes a new normal — one shaped by permanent body changes, ongoing treatments that last for years, and long-term side effects that can be life-altering.
They speak openly about the toll cancer takes — not just on the body, but on families, friendships, relationships, careers, and self-identity. About feeling robbed of femininity. About hair loss — Pina bravely shaving her head as it began to fall, while Kellie chose to let every strand go in her own time. About the emotional weight of watching their loved ones carry the fear alongside them.
Today, both women are back at work and rebuilding life with strength and perspective. Pina has returned to the classroom as a primary school science teacher. Kellie is back supporting clients as a mortgage broker. They are living proof that survivorship is not the end of the story — it’s the beginning of a louder, more purposeful one.
Through Marilyn’s, Pina and Kellie hope to raise funds, awareness, and crucial conversations — about knowing your body, advocating for yourself, and the need for earlier breast screening. Because treatment doesn’t end when the hospital visits slow, and because early detection saves lives.
This Pool Swim is about honouring the past, supporting those still in the fight, and showing their daughters — and every woman watching — that strength, joy, and hope can exist even after cancer.
And yes, there will be laughter along the way — because surviving deserves to be celebrated.
Donate today to help fund vital research to improve outcomes and save lives. Together we can make a real difference
Thank you to our Sponsors
$116
Next Challenge
$110
David Thompson
Nice one Monique.
$106
Frank Congedi
Well done PIna!
$106
Rachel & Sandra C
Well done Pina! Enjoy the swim!!
$59
Grace Loizos
Pina you are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your amazing story with the world & continuing to be a positive role model for us all. I love you to the moon and back… and more❤️
$59
David Duggins
Your strength is my inspiration. Always positive always smiling xx
$59
Paulina Di Vittorio
Pina and Kellie my beautiful cousins, your story brought a tear to my at the mention of my mum. Seeing how strong and brave you both were to fight this was a true inspiration, just like she did for many years before it finally took her from us. Mum would have been so proud on how you both fought to get through the other side to recovery and healing. I truly believe she would have been by both your sides to give you the strength to fight. You have both come so far, hugs. 🩷🩷🩷
$59
Anne-marie Kennedy
Hi Smilie!!!😀 You are such a joy to be around Pina! Your positive energy and beautiful, generous heart influence everyone you meet. The world is truly a better place because you are in it and we are so lucky to know you, work with you and walk along life’s journey together with you. Keep shining your beautiful light, keep smiling and…….Go Pina!!!🎉🎉🎉
$59
Ev & Len Condo
Go girls!
$59
Wendy Sheehan
$59
Pina
Providing support for all those facings cancer diagnosis.
$59
Sam T
Swim well
$59
Julie Niedzwiecki
We have watched you go from strength to strength. Your constant bright smile and glowing energy are an inspiration to all of us! We are fortunate to spend time with such a magnificent ray of sunshine. It is an honour to assist you in any way I can. Whoohoo! Go Pina!!
$59
Dennis Murphy
$59
Elle Fairweather
$59
Rosewall Landscaping
Much love from the Rosewall’s
$59
Sally Moore
$59
Marisa Condo
You are an inspiration my beautiful cousin ❤️ super proud of your determination and smile at every point in your journey 🙏🏻 wishing you a healthy future xxx
$59
Rebecca Everett
$59
Gail And Dave
Go Pina and make a giant splash!
$59
Sonia Re-tedesco
Pina you are truly amazing!
$59
Pauline Tirimacco
A beautiful soul, with a giant heart, resilience and positivity you are a blessing Pina.....keep shining your star!
$59
Sara Gipps
$59
Maddalena Divito
Well done Pina! What a special way to acknowledge your personal battle and battle of many, you should be so proud 💕 Lena and Peter
$59
Melanie Harrald
$59
Claudia Votino
Have fun ladies proud to support such an important cause and swimming for those who can’t ❤️
$59
Rossana Rositano
$59
Pina Condo
You are an inspiration. Hope you have a great day on Sunday. Xx
$59
Patrick And Toni Fitzgerald
Well done Pina on your fundraising - some very proud supporters here.
$59
Phuong-chi Twigden
$59
Anonymous
$58
Rebecca Riley
What a journey! You are an inspiration.
$55
Liv Moffett
$55
Anna Mattiazzo
Go Pina! Have a fab Marilyn experience, you’re amazing 💪🏻🥰
$55
Karen Berry
$54
Nonna
Love you x
$54
Trish Graham
All the best with the swim! You are amazing!! Lots of love, Trish 🫶🏼
$54
Trudy Mossop
$54
Corinna G
Love you all x
$54
Lazi
$54
Lazi
$54
Nonna
$51
Chloe Riley
Amazing cause ❤️
$50
Lina
$50
Giovanna
$33
Amy Hollins-rudd
$32
Marisa Di Vittorio
I’m so proud of how far you have come 🤍
$30
Elise Di Vittorio
$28
Maisie Piercy
Go Mama & Pina 💕 Love Maisie
$28
Lina Sotiropoulos
$28
Aidan And Erica
Superstar!!!
$28
Shona Dudley
Pleased to support you both and a cause close to my heart (2 of my besties were diagnosed and 1 passed 5 years ago)
$28
Angela Scod
You’ve got this! So proud!
$28
Natalie Cameron
Your smile and positivity are an inspiration! Keep shining bright!
$28
Beth Johnston
$28
Natasha Cullinan
$28
Zachary Annese
$28
Jack Cutajar
$28
Eve Cardone
i love you julie
$28
Julia Faulkner
Go juleh
$28
Anastasia
$28
Marie Della Pace
$28
Vicky Radetti
You’re amazing!!! 🤩
$28
Jk
You are a superstar Pina
$28
Michelle Brankovic
$28
Iris Mori
$27
Kim Hartland
Superb effort Mon and a fabulous cause. Well done x
$27
Hannah
x
$25
Vy
$25
Caitie Moore
Lots of love xxx go smash this swim!!
$25
John Try
$23
Julie Bileckyj
Great Effort Pina. You're an inspiration. !!!!!
$23
Anonymous
$23
Andrea Mackereth
Well done Pina - have a great time ! You are so inspirational and always do positive x
$23
Anonymous
$20
Cw
$20
Helen
$20
Josie
$20
Teresa
You are one amazing lady! 🥰
$12
Scarlett Snook
Love this Julia x
$6
Gemma Lowick
Go Jules
Dear Mon, You're a champion! Love from the Team at Next Challenge. xx