‘Shining angel’: How bond with Olivia Newton-John helped Camilla Franks through cancer

When designer Camilla Franks was diagnosed with breast cancer as a new mum, it was Olivia Newton-John who reached out, sending “love packs” to her house and turning up for a cuddle.

It was the little unprompted gestures Olivia Newton-John would offer Australian designer Camilla Franks that were the most meaningful during her battle with breast cancer.

Franks was diagnosed in 2018, just eight weeks after giving birth to daughter Luna, and says Newton-John, whose own breast cancer battle first began in 1992, turned up “like a shining angel” despite the pair having never previously met in person.

“It was a very challenging time. I was trying to be wonder woman, to Luna, to my husband, to the business, to the chemo treatment,” Franks said.

“I’d just get random little love packs (from Newton-John) sent to my house, and it’s those simple things that make you feel loved, or that call that would give me a bit of advice, or that turning up to the office to give me a cuddle – whatever it was, it was meaningful.

Designer Camilla Franks shared a tribute to Olivia Newton-John on social media. Photo: Instagram/ @camillawithlove

“And she’s a busy, talented, amazing woman, but she’d take the time out for anyone, no matter what she was going through. She had her own battle, she was fighting the good fight, she was just so selfless.”

“The bond wasn’t long but it was very meaningful to me and a very important part of my journey.”

Franks is in remission, having undergone a double mastectomy and later removed her ovaries and fallopian tubes.

After three months overseas Franks flew into Brisbane this week to attend a fundraising lunch in her name on Friday, which will support grassroots cancer charities, when she learnt of Newton-John’s death at the age of 73.

“It was a shock … we’d had a few text messages, but I didn’t realise she was going through it again,” Franks said.

“It just seems serendipitous that I’m here raising funds and awareness and we just lost the face of, pretty much, the heart, this woman we all looked up to when you’re in the boobie gang.

“So I think tomorrow we’ll feel her in the room.”

Designer Camilla Franks is in Brisbane to attend the Camilla Luncheon & Runway Fashion Show at Brisbane City Hall on Friday as a special guest of Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The Camilla Luncheon & Runway Fashion Show, hosted by Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner at Brisbane City Hall, will support charities in Brisbane, through the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust and cancer charities, Mummy’s Wish and Be Uplifted Inc.

The funds will help those grassroots charities provide practical and essential services for Brisbane residents living with cancer and particularly mothers, through Mummy’s Wish.

“Just those little things make so much of a difference when you’re going through this rollercoaster ride that is chemo and cancer,” Franks said.

“I was given a second chance to live and that’s not something to be taken lightly. And my purpose in this world is to keep fighting the fight. For me 2030, zero deaths, that’s my motto. It’s non-negotiable.

“I never want my daughter ever going through what I went through.”

The event will include a performance by Queensland Ballet, as well as a live auction including a Camilla Villa staycation and styling experience.