Johnny Ruffo shares biggest fear amid brain cancer battle

Aussie actor and music star Johnny Ruffo has revealed his biggest fear in fighting terminal brain cancer, as he opens up about helping kids facing similar battles.

Australian singer and actor Johnny Ruffo is not afraid of dying – but he has not giving up on his fight against his terminal brain cancer diagnosis.

The former X Factor singer and Home And Away actor said he is still undergoing chemotherapy after his battle with a brain tumour began in 2017.

“I’m still trying to kick its arse,” Ruffo said.

“I’m still doing treatment. Wednesday this week I’m doing my next round of chemo.”

Johnny Ruffo who diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2017, which became terminal in 2022. Picture: Instagram

The former Perth concreter became emotional speaking about his partner Tahnee, who he describes as his “guardian angel”.

In the same vein that couples say “we’re pregnant”, Ruffo said “we have cancer”.

“She is living with it as much as I am. She is here with me every step of the way. I’m so very grateful to have her by my side, I don’t know what I would do without her. I genuinely don’t — she’s my guardian angel.”

Actor Johnny Ruffo is grateful for the support his girlfriend Tahnee Sims has provided throughout his brain cancer journey. Picture: Instagram

What he is afraid of, however, is whether his family will be with him when the time comes to “ say goodbye”.

“I’m scared for my brother, my mum, Dad and Tahnee that they won’t be here with me (when I die),” Ruffo said.

“There is no way my family will all be here. The likelihood of that is (slim). It would be ideal if everyone was there – not for my sake, but theirs.”

Johnny Ruffo is still fighting his cancer and gets regular chemotherapy. Picture: Instagram

The 34-year-old said the best treatment for him, equal to chemo, was keeping busy with projects where he can help others facing similar medical conditions.

Ruffo recently worked with a group of Starlight Children’s Foundation kids who were given a sneak peek at the 2022 Top 100 Toy List, as part of Amazon Australia’s Playmakers campaign.

NSW 7-year-old Amelia and her brother Louis play with toys with Johnny Ruffo, who has terminal brain cancer. Picture: Supplied

“Helping the kids feels good. It really helps. I found myself genuinely laughing,” Ruffo said of the Playmakers project and working with the kids on a stop motion film.

“You get to help take them away from the everyday reality of what they’re going through. Even if it‘s for a day or a few hours, it means the world, not only to them but me as well.

“It’s not fun having to through all of this (cancer), anything to take you away from that is such a reprieve.”

Amazon gave 10 children a chance to become playmakers, and test the toys out and film a movie about them which will be brought to life with their voices including Ruffo’s and former Hi-5 star Charli Robinson.

Charli Robinson and Johnny Ruffo took part in Amazon Australia’s Playmakers campaign to help Starlight Children’s Foundation beneficiaries. Picture: Supplied

Playmaker Amelia, 7, from NSW, has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She said liked meeting Ruffo and Robinson and helping make the toy movie.

“My favourite toy was the Hatchimals Pixies, which I know my friends at school will also like to play with,” she said.

Robinson said she “leapt at the chance” to be part of Playmakers because it “brought me right back to my days at Hi-5.”.

“As a mum and kids’ entertainer I was blown away by the Playmakers’ creativity as movie makers, and loved acting as the voice of the naughty character,” she said.

Following the final film’s release due late November, Amazon Australia will donate $1 to Starlight Children’s Foundation for each purchase of a toy featured in the Playmaker’s short film up to $45,000, resulting in an overall donation of $100,000 worth of toys, games and crafts.