Olivia Newton John Wellness Walk: John Easterling on cannabinoids for cancer

Olivia Newton John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi says she feels her mother’s presence daily since the wellness warrior died - sometimes showing up as an owl.

John Easterling, Chloe Lattanzi and Tottie Goldsmith takes part in the ONJ Walk for Wellness. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi says she feels the presence of the beloved superstar who often visits her in the form of an owl.

“I feel her every moment of every day,” Ms Lattanzi told the Herald Sun. “She actually shows up outside my window as an owl.

“That may sound strange to some people, but that was our family symbol,” Ms Lattanzi said. “Since my mum has passed, she has shown up in many ways, as rays of light, and this owl comes and sits outside my window, sometimes for hours, and just looks at me.”

She also said Newton-John’s 1980 hit Magic also comforts her at unexpected times.

Chloe Lattanzi said her mum shows up outside her window as an owl. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“Whenever I’m down or having a lonely moment, I’ll walk into a supermarket or I’ll turn on the radio, and that song will come on. It’s like she’s coming through to me,” Ms Lattanzi said.

“It reminds me of my inner power and inner light, and whatever you set your heart to, you can achieve. We are magical, each and everyone of us. We’re capable of amazing things.”

Newton-John, a pop star, movie star and wellness warrior, died from cancer, after living with the disease for 30 years, last August. She was 73.

Ms Lattanzi and Newton-John’s husband John Easterling led Olivia’s annual Walk For Wellness at the Alexandra Gardens on Sunday.

The event raises funds for programs, which include oncological massage, art and music therapy, and acupuncture at the ONJ Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Heidelberg.

Mr Easterling said he also felt Olivia’s presence daily, but especially during a recent trip to the couple’s favourite places in Peru.

“I took some of her ashes places where we fell in love and got married,” Mr Easterling told the Herald Sun.

Chloe Lattanzi with second cousin Tottie Goldsmith. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“A hummingbird — which was her thing — landed, shared space, and hung out. And you’re receiving messages: ‘Be grateful. Love life, live life.’ That bird would leave, and another would land, bringing different messages. Five birds came on that day.”

A butterfly also sat on Mr Easterling’s backpack for 45 minutes, then during a 25 minute hike through double-canopy rainforest to a river. “The butterfly stayed with me until the river, then flew two circles over my head, and left,” he said.

Ms Lattanzi and Mr Easterling said they will continue to promote and improve programs at the ONJ Cancer Wellness and Research Centre.

“All of these things make a dramatic difference in quality of life for cancer patients,” Mr Easterling said. “Olivia understood that very intimately.”

Mr Easterling also urged politicians to make medicinal cannabis available to cancer patients.

“Olivia was using a variety of cannabinoids and Amazonia botanicals,” he said.

“The immediate thing we noticed was pain. If you’re in pain, then not in pain, you remember that. Her cancer journey was 30-years plus. Not only did the pain disappear, but it improved her quality of life.”

John Easterling’s message to politicians

Olivia Newton-John’s husband John Easterling will continue the beloved superstar’s push to make medicinal cannabis available to patients at Melbourne’s ONJ Cancer Wellness and Research Centre.

“My message to politicians is, ‘Get on it. Run fast, run hard to implement cannabinoids (as part of cancer treatment),” Mr Easterling told the Herald Sun.

“There are good things happening here.”

He added: “Olivia was using a variety of cannabinoids and Amazonia botanicals.”

“The immediate thing we noticed was pain. If you’re in pain, then not in pain, you remember that.

“Her cancer journey was 30-years plus. Not only did the pain disappear, but it improved her the quality of life ... to continue living, and carry on. And she did, right up to the end.”

Newton-John, a pop star, movie star and wellness warrior, died from cancer, after living with the disease for 30 years, last August. She was 73.

ONJ Walk for Wellness in the Alexandra Gardens. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

ONJ Wellness Walk participants. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A stormtrooper encourages partipants in Olivia'a Walk for Wellness. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Chloe Lattanzi, John Easterling, and Tottie Goldsmith leading the walk. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr Easterling and Newton-John’s daughter led Olivia’s annual Walk For Wellness at the Alexandra Gardens on Sunday.

The event raises funds for programs, which include oncological massage, art and music therapy, and acupunture at the ONJ Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Heidelberg.

“All of these things make a dramatic difference in quality of life for cancer patients,” Mr Easterling said.

Tottie Goldsmith gets ready to take part in the annual fundraiser. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

ONJ Walk for Welness participants having fun at Alexandra Gardens. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“Olivia understood that very intimately.”

“The interesting thing is, the government doesn’t fund these programs.”

“That’s an odd space to be. We’re looking to continue studies to demonstrate the evidence-based therapeutic value of what we’re doing. For now, the people are funding it.”

Ms Lattanzi said she was proud to continue Olivia’s life-affirming work.

“To take part in the walk means my mother lives on,” she said. “Her dream was a world without cancer. She was about light, love and healing, and I feel her presence, and her love, everywhere.”

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