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Olivia Newton-John Shares Why She Started Her Own Foundation to Help Fight Cancer
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — For decades, Olivia Newton-John was known as the radiant voice behind hits like “Physical” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” But beyond the spotlight and silver screen, the beloved singer and actress found a higher purpose — one born from pain, hope, and resilience. In a heartfelt interview before her passing, Olivia revealed the deeply personal reason she founded the Olivia Newton-John Foundation, dedicated to researching and supporting plant-based and holistic cancer treatments.
“I didn’t start it because I wanted to be a hero,” she said softly, her trademark smile unwavering. “I started it because I know what fear feels like. I wanted to give others the hope I found.”
Olivia’s battle with breast cancer, first diagnosed in 1992, became a decades-long journey of courage and advocacy. After undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, she not only survived but thrived — using her platform to inspire millions of women around the world. Her fight, however, was not without setbacks. The disease returned in 2013 and again in 2017, this time metastasizing to her spine.
Through it all, Olivia remained a beacon of grace. “I believe every challenge brings a gift,” she once told People Magazine. “Cancer taught me compassion. It showed me that healing isn’t just physical — it’s emotional and spiritual too.”
Those beliefs became the foundation for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and, later, her own Foundation Fund, launched to explore the power of plant medicine, natural therapies, and mind-body wellness. “We’re not replacing traditional medicine,” she explained. “We’re expanding it. There’s so much wisdom in nature, and I wanted science to explore that.”
Her husband, John Easterling, whom she lovingly called her “Amazon John,” echoed her mission: “Olivia wanted people to feel empowered — to understand that healing can be holistic. She believed in science, but she also believed in the healing energy of love and nature.”
From fundraising concerts to her serene healing retreat in Australia, Olivia’s work reflected her spirit: kind, open-hearted, and full of light. Her foundation continues to fund groundbreaking research into integrative cancer therapies, combining conventional treatments with natural approaches like medicinal cannabis, meditation, and nutrition-based healing.
In one of her last public messages, she urged fans to “trust in hope.” She said, “I’ve lived with cancer for decades, and I’m still grateful every single day. Gratitude and hope — that’s where real healing begins.”
Even in her final years, Olivia’s voice carried the same warmth it did in Grease, but now it resonated with wisdom — the kind born from surviving storms. To her, music and healing were intertwined. “Singing helped me heal,” she said. “When you sing, you breathe deeply, and when you breathe deeply, you calm your soul.”
Today, her legacy continues through her foundation’s global mission to transform the way the world understands and treats cancer. As one supporter wrote on social media: “She didn’t just fight cancer — she turned her fight into a gift for the world.”
