They know that in the not-too-distant future any advancements may benefit their two-year-old Mira, who was born with chronic kidney disease. A transplant sometime down the track is inevitable.

"The disease was detected during pregnancy and when Mira was born we were flown to the Royal Children's Hospital because they thought she would need a transplant during infancy," Mrs Brightwell said. "She managed to make it through infancy without needing the transplant and at the moment has two tiny kidneys which are still functioning. But it's thought she will need a transplant in early adolescence."

Today, $1 from every coffee sold at the Brightwells' Liebig Street cafe, Brightbird, will be donated to a fund-raising cause set up by Mrs Brightwell's brother Ben Malseed. Money raised will go to Kidney Health Australia.

Mr Malseed, formerly of Warrnambool, will walk the Kokoda Track later this year and has set himself a fund-raising target of $10,000. He has already raised about $9000.

"Ben and a few friends decided to walk the track to celebrate his 40th birthday. Then he thought he would use the trip to raise money for Kidney Health Australia in Mira's name," his sister said.

"We were blown away. He did it unprompted so we thought we would do something to help him reach his target.

"Research that leads to new innovations in treatments now will be of benefit of Mira, and others, into the future."

To donate to Mr Malseed's trek visit https://give.everydayhero.com/au/ben-68

jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au