Olivia Newton-John’s Daughter & Husband Announce ‘Walk for Wellness’ for October 2023 (w/ Video)

Bringing Love, Light, & Life-changing Care for Those with Cancer

Nearly a year after Australian entertainment sweetheart and cancer wellness advocate Dame Olivia Newton-John sadly passed away, Olivia Newton-John’s daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, along with husband, John Easterling are continuing Olivia’s dream, inviting Australians (and also those globally) to join them, this October, as they honor Olivia’s incredible legacy and raise much-needed funds for the ONJ Cancer Wellness & Research Centre at Olivia Newton John’s annual ‘Walk for Wellness’.

This year’s ‘Walk For Wellness’ will take place on October 8th at Alexandra Gardens in Olivia’s hometown of Melbourne, Australia, where family, friends, fans and supporters will once again have an opportunity to ‘Walk for Olivia’ to raise funds for evidence-based wellness programs, including massage, acupuncture, music/art therapy, and more, that have been proven to reduce the side effects of cancer treatment such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and anxiety, helping people cope better with their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

These wellness programs are purely funded by donations, bringing love and light to people with cancer, or as Olivia put it, “help people with cancer to thrive.” 

Chloe Lattanzi, daughter of Olivia Newton-John, says, ‘it’s been such an emotional week and I know my mamma would be so proud.  I want to rally everyone together, the way my mum did and encourage you all to walk either on the October 8 in Melbourne with me or virtually so we can continue to honor my mamma’s work.  My mum loved this walk, she looked forward to it every year and I am now going to carry the torch and keep my mama’s dream alive. I am so proud of the work she’s done. Please sign up and walk with us… walk with my mama- I know she is with us in spirit.”

The walk will be held at Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne, one of Olivia’s favourite locations in Melbourne. Tickets are limited, however supporters nationally (and globally) are also encouraged to walk virtually to show their support. The ‘Walk for Wellness’ will see participants walk approximately 5 km around Melbourne’s iconic ‘Tan’ track with their family and friends to support people with cancer. Both participants at Alexandra Gardens and virtual walkers will receive a medal as a small thank you for their participation.

John Easterling, husband of Olivia Newton-John, states, “the support we have felt here in Australia has been overwhelming. The Wellness programs at the ONJ Centre was a dream realized for Olivia. Let’s keep her dream thriving, providing quality of life and healing for anyone with cancer.  The love continues as we launch Olivia’s Walk for Wellness in October.  Please join us to help people on their personal cancer journeys.”

Debbie Shiell, Director of Austin Health Foundation says it is an honor to continue Olivia’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and positivity. “The walk raises funds needed to provide the wellness programs she wanted people with cancer to have access to because she knew they would help. Olivia recognized that cancer is more than just a physical journey; to truly win over cancer, you need to support the mind and the spirit.”

Sponsorships and donations from this year’s event will fund evidence-based wellness therapies that support people with cancer emotionally, spiritually and physically. Wellness therapies have been proven to help reduce the side effects of cancer treatment and help people cope better during their cancer journey – to help them thrive. 

People can secure an opening week ticket deal from March 1 to March 8, with prices (in Australian dollars)  starting at $48 per adult, $42 senior/concession, $20 per child (aged 4 – 17), $100 for a family (2 adults and 2 kids), free for children under 3, and a special $20 ‘puppy ticket’ will be available for furry family members, which will come with a complimentary ‘Olivia’s Walk for Wellness’ dog bandana.  All funds raised from the event will fund vital evidence-based wellness programs.

For more information and to register go to walkforwellness.com.au

Additional Information

• A donation of $60 can provide a 30-minute massage by a qualified oncology massage therapist to help ease pain, nausea and anxiety and other side effects of people undergoing cancer treatment.
• A donation of $70 can provide a music therapy session with a registered music therapist to help people with cancer express their emotions, manage their symptoms and support their mental health, relaxation and well-being.
• A donation of $85 can provide an individual art therapy session by a trained art therapist making meaning of the cancer experience and providing a positive focus away from the reality.
• A donation of $170 can provide 3 mindfulness sessions conducted by a trained therapist to help focus the mind and support people who are dealing with cancer to be in the moment and plan for the road ahead. 
• A donation of $250 can provide an initial assessment by an accredited exercise physiologist and a personalized program and 4 supervised sessions for a person undergoing cancer treatment. Prescribed exercise reduces the number and severity of treatment side effects, improves quality of life, physical function, and treatment outcomes. 
• A donation of $325 will provide art supplies for the art therapy group program to enhance self-expression through art and contribute to a greater sense of social belonging, well-being, and quality of life for our patients. 
• The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (ONJ Centre) is a division of Austin Health. 

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