And despite her fair share of setbacks, the epilepsy survivor continues to raise money for the charity close to her heart.
Ms O'Bree will hold a Purple Day morning tea at Cunningham Downs community hall on March 26 and is hoping for another big crowd.
“It's really grown over the years,” she said.
“I started off with just a small morning tea and now we get about 100 people to the morning tea and they come from all over - Kyabram, Rochester, Seymour and Bendigo.
“Apart from the Biggest Morning Teas for cancer, mine is one of the biggest morning teas in Echuca.”
While this is her main fundraiser, Ms O'Bree has also got Echuca-Moama and Rochester schools and businesses on board.
And while raising money for the Epilepsy Foundation is crucial, raising awareness about the condition is just as important.
As such, Ms O'Bree always organises a guest to speak at the morning teas.
This year, Carolyn Lewis will discuss her teenage daughter's battle with the neurological condition.
The Lockington mother is also hoping to reduce the stigma of epilepsy, which she says is one of the things that causes her daughter Kaitlyn the most discrimination.
Read Kaitlyn Lewis’ story on page 4 and 5.
Ms O'Bree said guest speakers such as Mrs Lewis were great at helping people better understand the condition.
“A lot of people are asking questions at our morning teas and so many people are writing on the feedback forms about how much they didn't know about epilepsy and how much they had learnt from coming along,” Ms O'Bree said.
“I'm so glad to hear people speak openly about it.”
As well as asking people to wear a touch of purple on March 26, Ms O'Bree has placed donation tins and merchandise at various food outlets, pharmacies, Echuca Workers and Services Club and Echuca-Moama Family Medical Practice.
If you are interested in attending the morning tea, which will run from 10am, that will includes food, drinks, entertainment and prizes, contact Shirley on 5480 6824 or 0418 505 243.
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