Olivia Newton-John: Australians urged to back the Walk for Wellness a year after icon’s death

It’s a year since Olivia Newton-John lost her long battle with cancer. See how you can be involved in what was “deeply important” to the star and keep her legacy going.

Olivia Newton-John’s family has urged Australians to back the icon’s annual charity walk for people with cancer as they mark a year to the day since the entertainment icon’s death.

Chloe Lattanzi, Olivia’s only child, will be in Australia for Olivia’s Walk of Wellness in October, the Grease star’s niece Tottie Goldsmith confirmed on Tuesday.

In an interview with Sunrise, Goldsmith said the first anniversary of Olivia’s death was “mind-boggling”.

“I’ve been getting text messages from family, friends, family in America and we are all just kind of grappling with it still, it’s sort of like she is here and then she is not,” the former Chantoozies singer said.

Olivia Newton-John passed away a year ago after a long battle with breast cancer. Picture: Getty Images

“They feel like they’re around you and they feel like they’re with you but you can’t reach out to them and I can’t believe it’s a year, it’s mind-boggling that it was a year ago.”

Sponsorships and donations from the walk fund evidence-based wellness therapies at the ONJ Centre that help ease the side effects of cancer treatment and support people with cancer emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Olivia Newton-John and Tottie Goldsmith before leading the inaugural Wellness Walk on September 15, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Getty Images

Goldsmith said the walk was Olivia’s “legacy, this was what was really, deeply important to her”. She confirmed Chloe would be travelling to Melbourne for this year’s event.

“Chloe is going to be here so we’re going to be holding hands and the family and that will help fill that gap but it’s beautiful putting grief into purpose, it really is and I think that’s what got me through her passing last year was having this purpose driving me and it still is and it always will,” she said.

In an interview with Stellar magazine, Chloe opened up about how she planned to mark the first anniversary of her mother’s death.

“I’m going to be spending the day with a mother figure, going to do the things that my mum liked to do. When I think about the day, it quite honestly just shatters me. That’s the truth. It shatters me. But I know that she’s guiding me and she’s with me,” she said.

Olivia Newton-Johns daughter Chloe Lattanzi and Olivia’s husband John Easterling. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Olivia and baby Chloe. Picture: Instagram

Olivia passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California after a long battle with breast cancer.

At the time her husband John Easterling said “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer”.

He added: “Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.”

Olivia’s Walk For Wellness, which will mark its 10th year on October 8, ill be held at Melbourne’s Alexandra Gardens.

To sign up or donate to Olivia’s Walk For Wellness, visit walkforwellness.com.au.

Originally published as Olivia Newton-John: Australians urged to back the Walk for Wellness a year after icon’s death