Libby Hill is a wife, a mother, a journalist and – like thousands of other women in Australia – she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Canberra woman also is one of many who shed a tear after the passing of Connie Johnson, a source of inspiration for those who suffer from the wretched illness.
Despite never meeting Connie, Libby says she felt a ‘deep emotional connection’ to her, and was even mistaken for the Love Your Sister charity founder while out shopping.
Libby Hill (pictured) suffers from breast cancer and says she was once mistaken for Connie Johnson while shopping in Canberra
The mother-of-two says she was ‘flattered’ and counts the late Connie Johnson as an inspiration
‘A few months ago I was shopping in the Canberra Centre and some lovely strangers mistook me for Connie Johnson,’ Libby, who was diagnosed last year with grade three triple negative breast cancer, said.
‘I did look a bit like her. We all have a similar face, us chemo patients. It’s the drugs that do it to us.
I never met Connie but I spent all last night crying for her and her family and for all of us living with the fear of leaving our children behind too soon.’
Libby, who is a mother to two young girls, candidly shares her treatment journey online and is a strong advocate for cancer research support.
bby says she felt a ‘deep emotional connection’ to Connie (pictured with her children)
‘I never met Connie but I spent all last night crying for her and her family and for all of us living with the fear of leaving our children behind too soon,’ Libby said
The mother-of-two candidly shares updates on her treatment via her Instagram
In July Libby had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction and is ‘still getting better every day.’
And after Connie’s tragic passing, the Canberra mum made a call for mourners to swap their social media gestures for real-life action.
‘Since Connie’s death last Friday, my social media feed has become splattered in red hearts,’ Libby wrote for news.com.au.
‘Well-meaning people are posting a single heart emoji in memory of Connie and to raise awareness of breast cancer.’
In July Libby had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction and is ‘still getting better every day.’
After Connie’s tragic passing, the Canberra mum made a call for mourners to swap their social media gestures for real-life action
Instead, Libby – who said ‘I was flattered to be compared to Connie… the way she lived inspired me’ – went on to say those who want to help should take proactive steps to help others suffering from the deadly disease.
‘Instead, reach out to other people who have cancer, donate to cancer research or check yourself for warning signs,’ she advises.
‘I want a cure for cancer. My family has already suffered enough from cancer. I don’t want my daughters Lily (6) and Stella (4) to live in fear of cancer.’
Connie Johnson lost her battle with breast cancer on Friday, after fighting the illness for seven years.
The sister of Gold Logie winner Samuel Johnson fought hard while suffering, and raised millions for her foundation Love Your Sister.
‘I am inspired by Connie and Samuel Johnson and what they have started through Love Your Sister. I think the work they have done is so important and I don’t want to sit back and hope that someone else finds a cure for cancer. I want to help,’ Libby said.
Connie Johnson (pictured) died last Friday following a long battle with breast cancer
The much-loved mother-of-two founded charity Love Your Sister which has raised millions