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Olivia's Journey
Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, that same weekend her father died from cancer. She underwent a partial mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Olivia has been cancer-free for more than 15 years. This is her story. I guess this journey - these million steps towards a cure for cancer - started for me 15 years ago, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis came the same weekend my father died of cancer, so you can imagine what a shock it was. I learned very quickly how important it was to think positively. When the second friend I called with the news burst into tears, I thought ‘I don’t need this’. I had a sister and friends make the calls. That way I could focus on positive thoughts. I underwent a partial mastectomy and breast reconstruction. It’s been a long journey, but now I am cancer-free. The whole experience has given me so much understanding and compassion I now want to help others going through the same journey. More and more people are affected by cancer, and I believe we are a world in desperate need of healing. I’m committed to doing whatever I can. I’ve always believed if you go through anything, even something as difficult as cancer, something good can come out of it. And that’s exactly what the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre will be. The Great Walk to Beijing 2008 is an important step in the journey to bring us closer to building my Cancer and Wellness Centre and ultimately finding a cure for cancer. WWW.GreatWalkToBeijing.com __________________________________________________________________ Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. It takes a life every 15 minutes*. Cancer is no respecter of fame or status - Olivia, Delta Goodrem, Lance Armstrong ... yet, while these famous survivors make the headlines, cancer touches the lives of every man, woman and child. In Australia more than 100 people die from cancer every day – and 40% are under the age of 70.* *The World Health Organisation Global InfoBase ___________________________________________________________________ How cancer hurts us It's 15 years since Olivia Newton-John recovered from breast cancer. Now she visits cancer patients and offers her support to others. The cancers most commonly causing death for men are: lung cancer prostate cancer colorectal cancer For women, the most common cancers are: breast cancer lung cancer colorectal cancer For children under 15 years, the most common cancers are: lymphoid leukaemia brain cancer central nervous system cancer Taking a step in the right direction The good news is that success rates in the treatment of cancer improve each year. The last two decades have seen a 30% improvement in survival from cancer for both men and women! In fact, the mortality rate from cancer in 2001 was the lowest since cancer registry operations began in Australia in 1971*. Similar stunning improvements are being achieved in the US. *The World Health Organisation Global InfoBase Real Stories, Real Survivors Harley Hero – meet Rhonda Martinez "All of us can make a difference. It is a great feeling to help out, it means everything to cancer survivors like me." Rhonda Martinez In December 2000, three days before Christmas, Rhonda Martinez was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Her experience has inspired her to huge achievements in the fight against cancer … “It took a while for the full impact of my diagnosis to set in. As it did, I experienced a whole variety of feelings ranging from sadness and anxiety to anger, frustration and despair. “As I got further and further into my treatment, I realised each time I left the hospital and walked back out in reality that this could not be all there is. Each time I walked back out in the crowded street knowing what I had just been injected with, I felt so alone and alienated. If only there was somewhere to go and talk to others who would understand, a ‘place’, a ‘special room’, anything; where patients could retreat before and after chemotherapy.” After Rhonda had finished her treatment, she came across an article in her local newspaper about Olivia Newton-John setting up a “Wellness Centre”. “Of course the more I read about the “Wellness Centre” the more I realised this was exactly what was needed. “This Centre would provide a place to sit, relax, chat or cry. A chance to talk to other patients about your treatment. A place to have coffee, a massage, read a book or get information. Somewhere to just chill out for a while knowing in a few hours after the treatment, you will be too sick to do any of these things. Just a ‘space’ to collect one's thoughts, that’s all.” Rhonda was so excited and decided she must help out in whatever way was possible. She’s already raised over $250,000 using her love of Harley Davidson motorcycles and fashion to create an event she’s called ‘Leather and Lace Ball’. She recently won the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s Victorian ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ for her work with the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Appeal, and will be joining Olivia for the entire Great Walk to Beijing! Whilst she is nervous about the challenge, she is determined to do it! "All of us can make a difference. It is a great feeling to help out - it means everything to cancer survivors like me." Gordon Chan Gordon Chan is Head of Radiopharmacy at Austin Hospital. He's also a cancer survivor and will join Olivia in The Great Walk to Beijing 2008. Gordon Chan has worked at Austin Health for 30 years and has seen both sides of cancer – as a staff member and a cancer patient. Gordon, diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2003, will demonstrate his true Rotarian spirit of service to the community as he joins Olivia on The Great Walk … “What happened was I was reading a book on Lance Armstrong’s testicular cancer and realised I had similar symptoms, but had been ignoring them. I was also working on a research study at the Austin that indicated there was a problem. “I am lucky to have been diagnosed early because the cancer cells were starting to spread by then. The staff were incredible. No matter how busy they were - working in such cramped and less than ideal conditions in the old Day Oncology Unit - they always had a smile and never complained.” Gordon said that he would have loved to have a Wellness Centre to go to after his chemotherapy sessions. “It’s not just about the physical treatment ... it’s the emotional treatment as well…the Wellness Centre will be such a great benefit as part of the holistic approach to cancer treatment ... I am just happy to do whatever I can to help make this happen. Each day now is a bonus for me. Little things don’t annoy me as much anymore … there are more important things in life.” The Austin is also one of the largest treatment centres for cancer in Australasia. Money raised in The Great Walk to Beijing 2008 will enable research facilities to be upgraded and centralised in the new Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre. The outcomes will impact on treatment of cancer world-wide. “I know from working here that our research is world-class. Combining researchers, clinicians and wellness therapists will be so much more beneficial and help us work easier as a team, to collaborate on vital research. There is still a lot of cancer research to be done.” The Cancer Centre  Our vision is for a world-class Cancer Centre dedicated to providing the very best of care to cancer patients, and providing an integrated research facility in the search for new treatments and ultimately a cure for all cancers. The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre will bring together the extensive existing cancer services of Austin Hospital and the research facilities of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in a 21st century purpose-built centre. A special feature will be the Wellness Centre, offering a full range of complementary therapies, extending the Wellness Philosophy that underpins the whole approach of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre. The purpose-built Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre will include existing Austin Health cancer services such as: • Medical Oncology (run jointly with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research) • Clinical Haematology • Radiation Oncology • Palliative Medicine These will be complemented with a range of new facilities including: • Radiotherapy Centre • Wellness Centre - patient-centred complementary therapies • Inpatient facilities for acute and palliative care patients • Outpatient day oncology centre • Education and Resource Centre • Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (Head office based in New York, the ONJCCA in Melbourne will be home for its Australian clinical research) Such a huge vision can only be realised by caring people working together. The Great Walk to Beijing 2008 will raise funds to build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, Melbourne Australia, and enable further vital research into the improved treatment and ultimately a cure for cancer. AMAZON HERB COMPANY http://www.amazonherb.net Your partner in wellness, in realizing your dreams and in fostering planetary balance. Over 13 years of experience in Amazonian botanicals have made Amazon Herb Co. a leader in superior rainforest nutrition. Their tested and proven herbal formulas can make a difference in your life. Together, we can make a difference in the world. GAIA Retreat & Spa http://www.gaiaretreat.com.au Nestled amongst green valleys and undulating hills in the subtropical Byron Bay hinterland near Bangalow, Gaia Retreat and Spa is the ideal place to renew, refresh, and restore your mind, body and soul. Gaia is all about choice; you choose and we’ll help you design your own personal experience - whether it is active and energetic or tranquil and serene. Koala Blue  www.koalablue.com Koala Blue, founded in 1983 by Olivia Newton-John & Pat Farrar, includes a range of unique “Australiana” products. Koala Blue Wines take this concept a step further with wines that are distinctly Australian, distinctly Koala Blue. Truly  Momhttp://www.trulymom.com Olivia loves these tee shirts that inspire the truth in all of us and share the positive side of life with a little humor - Check them out! Healthy Child Healthy World Creating Healthy Enviornments for Children  http://www.healthychild.org Olivia has served as National Spokesperson for Children's Health Environmental Coalition, which is now Healthy Child Healthy World. It's mission is to inform parents and all those concerned with the welfare of children about preventable health and development problems caused by exposures to toxic substances. AMY SKY www.amysky.com Olivia's new CD was recorded in Toronto, Canada with Amy Sky who also produced and co-wrote the CD. Most recently they collaborated on songs for the Stonger Than Before CD. Chloe Lattanzi  http://www.myspace.com/chloelattanziofficial fan site: http://www.chloelattanzisparadise.com (This site is affliliated with Chloe Lattanzis paradise.com) http://www.AlwaysOlivia.com  |
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