By Charlene Macaulay
It’s time to get physical. Olivia Newton-John is calling on residents across the west to throw on the lycra and join her in a Wellness Walk on Sunday, September 28.
The walk through the streets of Ivanhoe, finishing with a street party and concert, will raise money for the wellness and supportive care programs provided at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre at the Austin Hospital.
The centre is dedicated to providing the very best in medical care, treatment and research to help stop cancer destroying the lives of so many people. It’s a disease Ms Newton-John is all too familiar with. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992; that same weekend, her father died from liver cancer. Her sister died last year from brain cancer.
“It’s touched my whole life in many ways,” Ms Newton-John said. “When I went through cancer I was able to participate in wellness programs such as yoga and meditation, and I did herbs and massage – all the things I’ve been able to implement in the wellness centre.”
Ms Newton-John said it had been amazing to see the centre come to fruition. She now has big plans for a new Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute at the Austin.
“I believe that we’re going to be the team that sees an end to cancer. That’s my dream and we have some wonderful young researchers there with some wonderful ideas.”
The Wellness Walk caps off a big month for Ms Newton-John, who hosted the ONJ Gala at Flemington Racecourse and will sing the national anthem at this year’s AFL grand final.
Go to fundraisingoliviaappeal.com/event/thewellnesswalk to register for the Wellness Walk.
