Dr. Andreas Obermair

17/03/2026

This year, the Cherish Epic Ten Peaks Challenge will cover ten peaks over four days, spanning 66 kilometres. Each peak represents a reason for our walk.

Our second peak, Carruthers Peak, symbolises our hope for prevention. Because the best cancer outcome is the one that never happens.

Through research, we aim to prevent gynaecological cancers through improved screening, earlier detection, and strategies to reduce risk for future generations of women and girls.

You can support this peak and our mission here:
https://cherish-womens-cancer-foundation.grassrootz.com/cherish-epictenpeaks-2026/andreas-monika-1

07/03/2026

This May, my wife Monika and I will be taking on the Cherish Epic Ten Peaks Challenge 2026, trekking 66 km over four days across ten of Australia’s highest peaks in Kosciuszko National Park.

We’re doing this alongside 16 gynaecological cancer researchers, health professionals and women with lived experience to help raise awareness and support gynaecological cancer research.

Each peak represents the progress we’re striving for such as earlier diagnosis, better understanding and fairer treatments.

If you would like to support the cause, you can sponsor a peak, donate, or help spread the word.

Thank you for your support 💙

Dear Friends In May 2026, we are taking on the Cherish Epic Ten Peaks Challenge together, carrying the stories of women and families who have shaped our lives and our work in gynaecological cancer research. Not only are we doing this trek together, but we are also joined by other researchers, health...

08/12/2025

30/10/2025

🧡 A moment of reflection in Bhutan: Notes to Cancer

Dr. Andreas Obermair paused to read the personal notes to cancer carried with him on the trek. Each message, whether fierce or tender, angry or uplifting, was a tribute to someone affected and a powerful reminder of why this journey matters.

In silent reflection, he honoured your hopes, wishes, memories, and messages. It was a moment of connection, purpose, and deep gratitude for the community walking beside us in spirit.

Dr. Andreas Obermair

29/10/2025

22/10/2025

I am just about to head off to take part in the 2026 Cherish Challenge; a hike in the snowy mountains of the Bhutanese Himalayas. This journey is with a wonderful, generous group of people who all believe in Cherish’s vision of kinder and more effective treatments for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer. Among this amazing group are patients, surgeons and friends who share the same spirit and determination. Our determined group raised more than $110K already!!!

have been written and were given to me by ten patients. Somewhere in the middle of Bhutan’s cold and breathtaking landscape, I’ll pause to read them; because these very personal messages carry honesty and hope.

I’ll keep you posted!

03/10/2025

02/09/2025

🏔️ Support Our Bhutan Challenge Trekkers Today 🏔️

Team Cherish is stepping into the clouds for a cause that’s close to all our hearts—raising funds for life-changing research into gynaecological cancer. Follow their journey and show your support on the leaderboard: https://cherish-womens-cancer-foundation.grassrootz.com/bhutan-2025?tab=leaderboard

As part of this challenge, our founder Andreas Obermair, invites you to share a personal Note to Cancer—a hope, a wish, a memory, or a message for someone affected. Each note will be carried with care and read in silent reflection at the feet of the majestic Buddha Dordenma, creating a moment of connection, purpose, and pause.

💌 Add your not to cancer here: https://cherish.org.au/your-note-to-cancer/

Together, we hike toward hope.

25/08/2025

I’m excited to be part of the speaker line-up at the Gynaecological Cancer Patient Symposium this Saturday.
We have an excellent program planned—see the full list of speakers below and join us for an inspiring day.

⏳ Limited places remain for our Gynaecological Cancer Patient Symposium, from 9am this Saturday 30 August at Victoria Park in Brisbane: https://shorturl.at/Z7Ezr

So it's time to share our Speaker line-up!

Dr Kristen Moloney

Dr Kristen Moloney is a Gynaecologist and Certified Gynaecologic Oncologist, specialising in the management of benign, pre-invasive and malignant gynaecologic pathologies. Committed to advancement in the field of Gynaecologic Oncology, she actively engages in research and innovation. She serves as a reviewer for the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology as well as the Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology and plays an integral role in research conducted by the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer.

Leonie Young

Leonie Young has been a passionate cancer advocate since her breast cancer diagnosis in 1987. With over 30 years of experience, she has worked with national and international organisations to embed the lived experience into cancer research and clinical trials. Leonie is deeply committed to peer support, facilitating groups through The Choices Cancer Support Centre, including one for gynaecological cancer, and helping build networks that foster connection and care. She is a member of the consumer committee for the federally funded Centre for Research Excellence ALIVE WELL, which aims to improve quality of life for gynaecological cancer patients. Leonie also presents nationally and internationally on research, survivorship, communication, and patient advocacy.

Professor Sandi Hayes

Professor Sandi Hayes is a renowned researcher in cancer survivorship, specialising in exercise oncology and lymphoedema. As Director of Research at Cancer Council Queensland, she leads initiatives that translate evidence into practice, improving outcomes for cancer patients. Her work includes large-scale trials like ECHO, focusing on physical activity’s role in recovery. A passionate advocate, she promotes collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and patients to ensure real-world impact.

Kathleen Banks

Kathleen Banks is the Chair of Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation and an experienced professional working in the marketing, media and creative communications industry for over 20 years. She is highly skilled in marketing strategy, communications strategy, creative strategy and delivery, digital strategy, research, data analysis and business science, portfolio management, advertising, integrated marketing and media strategy and planning. She has over 10 years of local management board experience and working with clients with brand portfolios and multiple stakeholders across all levels.

Professor Andreas

Professor Andreas Obermair is a Brisbane based gynaecological oncologist in public and private practice and is an internationally recognised leader in gynaecological oncology research. Since establishing UQ’s Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer Research (QCGC Research) in 2003, he has led a program of investigator-initiated surgical clinical trials. His research, which spans Quality of Life, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Clinical Trials, and Translational Research, aims to make surgical treatments kinder and more effective. Professor Obermair is also founder and board member of the Cherish Foundation, which supports research into better treatments for women with gynaecological cancers.

Dr Eva Baxter

The year after completing her PhD in molecular biology and oncology at the University of Edinburgh in 2012, Dr Eva Baxter joined QIMR Berghofer in Brisbane to study oestrogen signalling in women’s cancers. Now at the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer Research, Dr Baxter leads translational studies for the feMMe and ENDO-3 clinical trials. Her work aims to identify biomarkers that guide conservative treatment options, helping women with endometrial cancer avoid hysterectomy through safer, targeted therapies.

Dr Natasha Roberts

Dr Natasha Roberts is a Senior Research Fellow at UQ Centre for Clinical Research and a Conjoint Clinical Research Fellow at STARS. With a PhD focused on patient-reported outcomes in oncology, her research spans genitourinary cancer, aged care, and precision medicine. She advocates for patient-centred care through co-designed interventions and consumer involvement in research. A leader in nursing research, she has developed clinical research pathways and serves on ethics committees, driving innovation in multidisciplinary care and implementation science.

Hosted by Centre for Gynaecological Cancer Research - QCGC Research and The University of Queensland, and supported by Cherish Women's Cancer Foundation and GSK, Symposium attendance is free - but registration is essential: https://shorturl.at/Z7Ezr

11/07/2025

In October, we are hiking in Bhutan, the land of happiness, to support gynaecological cancer research.

By donating $50 or more to the , you can help us create a ‘Happiness and Hope’ playlist. You’ll be invited to send a voice note to the Cherish team about your happiest moment or greatest hope. They will turn your messages into a playlist for our dedicated, possibly frostbitten and altitude-affected hikers—something they can listen to when the trail gets tough, and their spirits need lifting.

Your words could be the reason someone keeps climbing.

Please donate here and the team will be in touch. Be assured that every dollar raised goes to gynaecological cancer research.

Hello friends and supporters! I’m swapping my theatre clogs and surgical cap for hiking boots and a thermal beanie! This is my sixth fundraising adventure — not just for the thrill of the challenge but for a cause that means more to me than I can express. I am hiking Bhutan with 10 wonderful oth...

25/06/2025

22/06/2025

It’s been a puppy-themed past week here on the Facebook feed 🐶

Now Louis is capping-up to help Prof Obermair recruit hikers – whose fundraising will help us recruit patients for more ground-breaking research trials.

Are you Cherish Women's Cancer Foundation’s Bhutan Challenge Hiker #10? https://cherish.org.au/program/bhutan-cherish-challenge-2025-22-31-october/