Olivia Newton-John’s heartbroken husband and daughter are unlikely to attend a fundraiser being held in her memory next month.
The legendary Grease actress died on August 8 after battling breast cancer for 30 years. She is survived by her only child, daughter Chloe Lattanzi, and beloved husband John Easterling who she married in 2008.
In September, a fundraiser – called Walk for Wellness – is being held in Newton-John’s memory to supports the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre. The event will take place in Melbourne, Australia where Newton-John was raised but will also stream virtually so supporters from around the world can also take part.
However, her husband and daughter, who are based in California, are still too consumed with grief to commit to public appearances and therefore will likely not join the walk.
Confirming the news, Newton-John’s niece Tottie Goldsmith said: ‘I don’t think John and Chloe are going to make it. It’s too hard for them at the moment; it’s too soon.
‘But we’ve got Toby Newton-John, her brother, coming down, my sister coming down – all the family that are on the ground here (in Australia), and all the people who loved her.
‘It’s going to be really powerful and really beautiful.’
Tottie, best known as a member of pop group Chantoozies, added while appearing on Australia’s Sunrise: ‘Chloe and John need to grieve privately, as you can imagine. Getting on a plane or flying out here… would be chaotic for them.
‘They just want to be in their hearts and their soul and go through this like normal people, but we’ll definitely be doing (the charity walk) for everyone in love with her.
‘We are going to keep her legacy alive if it’s the last thing I do.
‘The walk is going to be beautiful. She loved dogs so there’s going to be loads of dogs. We want to encourage this walk all over the world.’
Tottie added that plans for a state funeral for Newton-John are still in the works but she isn’t able to announce concrete news just yet as talks are still ‘fluid’.
Newton-John died at her home in California aged 73 earlier this month, surrounded by friends and family.
The Physical singer was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 44 in 1992, with the disease returning in 2013 and 2017. She spent 30 years sharing her turbulent battle against the illness, along with her treatments and hope for survival.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
Source: Read Full Article
