‘Great sorrow’ Ballarat wife and mum Olivia Renga dies after successful fundraiser

A Ballarat wife and mum has been remembered for her courage in the face of “many hardships” after a rare cancer diagnosis.

The Renga family from Ballarat. Olivia Renga died on June 27, 2024 after being diagnosed with liver cancer. Picture: GoFundMe

A Ballarat mother of three showed great “courage and modesty” following a cancer diagnosis, her parents have said in a tribute their daughter.

Olivia Renga, 32, was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of liver cancer in January, and a later fundraiser for her raised more than $53,000 in a month.

“This type of cancer is a very rare and aggressive type with limited treatment options available,” the fundraiser read.

“She has now commenced second line chemotherapy treatment that has a much lower success rate.”

Ms Renga died on June 27.

An update on the fundraiser site from June 28 said: “We thank each and every one of you kind and generous people for the donations and shares.

“It is with great sorrow we share this update, our girl, Liv, has lost her battle.

“She was brave till the very end.”

An obituary published in a local newspaper the next day by Ms Renga’s parents said she “fought so hard to stay with us and your courage and modesty were outstanding in the face of the many hardships thrown at you.”