Alaina and Indah Keniger to climb Mt Kilimanjaro to raise funds for cancer charity

A Trinity Beach primary school student will make the trek up Mt Kilimanjaro with her mother to raise funds for cancer charity close to their hearts.

Alaina Keniger and her daughter Indah will climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise funds for Cherish Women's Cancer Charity in September.

A journey of more than 5000km began without taking a single step when Trinity Beach mother Alaina Keniger was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2022.

“In July 2022, I got the phone call you never want to receive. I was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer,” Mrs Keniger said.

The day after her diagnosis, the mother-of-two had to fly to Brisbane for a specialist consultation with oncologist and Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation founder Professor Andreas Obermair.

Alaina Keniger and her 10-year-old daughter Indah will climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise funds for Cherish Women's Cancer Charity in September.

Mrs Keniger, who knew about Cherish through her mother-in-law, who also battled cancer, was aware of the charity’s annual fundraising challenge.

“It was at that point before starting treatment that he told me they were going to do Mt Kilimanjaro, before they’d even announced it. Before flying back to Cairns, I told him I would do it.”

Having the goal in sight helped keep Mrs Keniger on track with her fitness post-cancer and post-treatment.

Climbing the mountain has turned into a family affair with her mother-in-law, sister-in-law and 11-year-old daughter Indah joining the trek with her in September.

“To have three generations of the same family up there, but two who have unfortunately been touched by cancer, is just incredible,” Mrs Keniger said.

Alaina Keniger (right) with daughters Leelah, Indah and husband Justin.

Once at the summit, Indah will make history as the youngest Australian to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.

“I’ve asked her a few times how she felt about the idea. She feels breaking the record is secondary to a lot of other things. It’s just about the journey of being there and doing it together,” Mrs Keniger said.

When asked what she was most looking forward to about the trip, Miss Keniger said she was looking forward to the views.

“Seeing the snow on top (of the mountain) would be cool,” she said.

To donate to the Keniger’s fundraiser, visit the Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation website.

Originally published as Alaina and Indah Keniger to climb Mt Kilimanjaro to raise funds for cancer charity