Meet Dominique, our Senior Rehabilitation Consultant helping the fight against Neuroblastoma one step at a time.

When Senior Rehabilitation Consultant, Dominique Higgins decided to do her first Point to Pinnacle three years ago she was apprehensive at best.

“I’m really not a runner,” says Dominique, which is surprising for someone who is preparing to run the world’s toughest half marathon for the third time.

On Sunday, 18 November, Dominique will be running the 21.1km uphill stretch between Sandy Bay and Mount Wellington in Tasmania. Previously, Dominique has used the half-marathon to raise funds for the Cancer Council Tasmania.

On Sunday, Dominique is returning for a different reason. Earlier this year, two-year-old Eleanor Oakley was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer known as Neuroblastoma.

Dominique, who is friends with Eleanor’s mum Jacqui, decided that this year’s Point to Pinnacle Fundraiser will go towards treatment and living costs for Eleanor and her family.

Following the diagnosis, Jacqui and Rob, left their Hobart home and their jobs as a teacher and a firefighter, to be with Eleanor in Melbourne so she can get the very best treatments available.

Eleanor’s Neuroblastoma has seen her undergo intensive chemotherapy, radiation treatment, an 8.5-hour long surgery which resulted in her lungs collapsing and a lung relapse all before her second birthday.

Recently Eleanor had a scan to determine whether her disease was stable enough to commence Immunotherapy.

Sadly, two new spots were detected in the area where Eleanor’s original tumour was. This news has had immense repercussions on the family meaning they may need to relocate overseas for further treatment.

The treatment is expected to continue for at least another year, a year Dominque is determined the Oakley family won’t go through alone.

“I wasn’t planning to do another Point to Pinnacle,” admits Dominique, “but when I heard about Eleanor’s situation, I wanted to do something to help.”

When she first registered, Dominque set herself a goal to raise $2,000 for her friends. Of course in the lead up to the big day, Dominique is taking part in the weekly Park Run, regular walks and runs and hill training to prepare but her main focus is reaching her fundraising goal.

In just 20 days, her Go Fund Me page has reached $1,370.

At Rehab Management, people are at the centre of our business and helping people where we can is among our highest values. Dominique’s efforts to help the Oakley family live out that value and here at RM, we are prouder than ever to have her on our team.

We’ll all be cheering on and thinking of Dominique during her gruelling run this weekend and lending our support through donations.

If you’d like to help Dominique reach her goal and make a difference to Eleanor’s life, follow this link to donate.