Olivia Newton-John is being remembered for her impact on fellow cancer patients, with staff from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (ONJ Centre) sharing their sadness at the loss.
“I think that the impact is really immeasurable … I’ve certainly had the great pleasure of being here with Olivia when she’s been visiting the patients … I would say that she gave people hope, she gave people an understanding that they could look to the future and have hope,” one employee, Cherie, told The Today Show this morning.
“I think more than that though, she gave people the opportunity, in the public health setting to be able to access so much more than just the conventional therapies but also all the wellness therapies that we’re able to provide here at the Centre,”
“She really did give people something very special, it was amazing to watch her walk through the front entry doors and see people coming out just as they’d had their radiation therapy treatment, or going to the wards and sit on the edge of a patient’s bed and hold their hand and have a chat to them – she was very, very giving of her time and very, very generous to the patients of the centre and they embraced her well and truly.”
Cherie confirmed the many staff and patients at the Centre were very much feeling the loss today.
“We certainly knew that her health was well-challenged, and we’ve been preparing ourselves as best we could for today, but as much as we had a close relationship with Olivia, we also at the Center have respected her privacy and her time with her family,” she revealed.
However, she confirmed that the ONJ Centre will continue as part of Olivia’s great legacy.
“She was so passionate about the way we integrate everything together with clinical care, wellness programs and research, and definitely the Wellness Centre, which is the heart of the Center … she loved spending time in the Wellness Centre.”
Cherie also revealed that this year was the 10th year of the Centre, which is based in Victoria.
Olivia was inspired to create the Centre after her own experiences with cancer, with her first diagnosis coming in 1992.
“With more and more people affected by cancer every day, I believe we are in a world desperate for healing, and I’m committed to doing whatever I can to help,” she wrote for the Centre’s website.
“I also believe that when you go through something difficult, even something as dramatic as cancer, that something positive will come of it,” she continued.
“And that’s exactly what the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (ONJ Centre) is – a positive healing Centre to support people on their cancer journey.”
While the Centre has helped many patients on their cancer journeys, it has also raised millions of dollars put towards cancer research and a level of awareness as well with their annual Wellness Walk.
The walk will return this year after a few years’ hiatus due to COVID-19.
Cherie revealed she will be walking for Olivia, whom she will remember as a friend.
READ NEXT: Olivia Newton-John has died aged 73
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