She’s the iconic Australian entertainer that has enjoyed a career spanning almost half a decade.
And as she battles cancer for the second time, Olivia Newton-John has revealed that she intended to step away from the spotlight to raise money for cancer research.
Speaking to Karl Stefanovic on 60 Minutes on Sunday, Olivia admitted that her time on stage would be limited as she continued working with her Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre.
Forging ahead: As she battles cancer for the second time, Olivia Newton-John has revealed that she intended to step away from the spotlight to raise money for cancer research.
‘Will we see you less in the public eye?’ Karl asked the Grease star in the emotional interview.
‘I think less,’ Olivia replied. ‘I will still do something and I want to help my hospital raise lots of money so that we can make cancer a thing of the past.
‘This is part of my journey, this is part of the reason I really believe that it happened, so that I can experience it yet again and give me more impetus to do more about it.’
Good cause: ‘I will still do something and I want to help my hospital raise lots of money so that we can make cancer a thing of the past’
The last time the pair met, Olivia took Karl for a tour of her state-of-the-art research centre and became quite emotional after visiting with one of the patients – Alistair Hand, who was living with leukemia.
‘Just going visiting people like that, you’re so beautiful with them when they’re going through this awful time in their lives. is it difficult for you to do that?’Karl asked.
Fighting back tears Olivia replied: ‘Afterwards,’ before leaning in to be consoled by Karl.
Fate: ‘This is part of my journey, this is part of the reason I really believe that it happened, so that I can experience it yet again and give me more impetus to do more about it’
However, Karl played a video message Alistair sent to Olivia who told the star that he was ‘travelling well,’ while wishing Olivia all the best for her own recovery.
A clearly moved Olivia was overjoyed with Alistair’s message saying: ‘that’s wonderful.’
Karl asked the star what it was like to have such support and love and she replied sincerely with: ‘People have been so wonderful and loving and loving and that has really kept me up. All the prayers, they work.’
Helping hands: Karl asked the star what it was like to have such support and love and she replied sincerely with: ‘People have been so wonderful and loving and loving and that has really kept me up. All the prayers, they work’