The Aussie star who was the lead in "Grease" opposite John Travolta just wants to surge forward with her philanthropic work now.
Olivia Newton-John rose to fame after starring opposite John Travolta in the 1970s hit musical, Grease, and went on to become a beloved household name. However, it's been a bumpy ride for the talented actress. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, the battle to beat the life-threatening disease has been part of her life ever since. And now, after over 25 years of continued fight, the 70-year-old actress has revealed she is not concerned over over how many more years she has to live.
Speaking to 60 Minutes Australia, Olivia Newton-John recently opened up about battling cancer for the third time. After the disease had reappeared a second time in 2013, she has now been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
Despite the grim possibilities, the Grease star said she wants to be positive about visualizing her future. She believes that in not knowing her "time limit", she wouldn't confine herself to it.
"When you're given a cancer diagnosis or a scary honest diagnosis, you're suddenly given a possibility of a time limit," she said, according to CNN. "If somebody tells you, you have six months to live, very possibly you will because you believe that," Newton-John continued. "So for me, psychologically, it's better not to have any idea of what they expect or what the last person that has what you have lived, so I don't, I don't tune in."
When the cancer was discovered for the second time, it was after a car accident in 2013. They found it in her shoulder and last year, she revealed how she had a tumor in her back at the base of her spine. Despite the pain, the actress is focussed on the future and giving back to the world. She wants her cancer research center to be well funded and keep doing the good work. Because just like her there are thousands more around the world suffering from this disease.
There have been many reports that claimed that the talented singer and actress was on her last leg, but she dismissed those rumors by posting a video of herself. "Happy New Year, everyone! I just want to say the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated, to quote a very famous quote, and I’m doing great and I want to wish all of you the happiest, healthiest 2019 that’s possible," she said.
She said she's a "long way away" from dying, even though people assumed she was "clinging to life." "To read that you're dead or you're dying is a really strange experience," Newton-John said about the January ordeal. "I thought that I would confront this. … It was upsetting," she said, according to USA Today.
She's gone on Twitter to say, that "the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated… I’m doing great."
She has also said that she uses cannabis oil to relieve her of pain. "I really believe the cannabis has made a huge difference," she said, according to CNN. "If I don't take the drops, I can feel the pain, so I know it's working."
To continue her great work with helping others with cancer, she's auctioning some of her memorabilia, including the iconic leather outfit she wore in Grease. The funds will go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia.
What a fantastic day we had yesterday! It was an honor to welcome Olivia Newton-John to our visitor Centre to personally unveil her collection. The Exhibition now open to the public will be running till the 18th of August. pic.twitter.com/kMY7XfGmWD
— Newbridge Silverware (@newbridgesilver) July 23, 2019
She's not alone in her fight. Fellow Aussie star Hugh Jackman shared a message for her from the stage while touring Sydney with a show. "You are the most amazing person, the most amazing mom, the most amazing ambassador," Jackman said. "And we love you."
You are the most amazing @olivianj!! Love HJ, @Deborra_lee and 15 thousand friends. pic.twitter.com/KVVHUrVVUe
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) August 5, 2019
Newton-John also showed her gratitude during her interview. "I'm so lucky that I've been through this three times and I'm still here," she said. "I'm living with it. Every day is a gift now, particularly now."
References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJtPgpedcFo
