Olivia's tribute to Belinda Emmett
Breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John will greatly miss the friendship of this remarkable young woman
Olivia Newton-John is one of the world’s most inspirational breast cancer survivors - but, like everyone who crossed paths with Belinda, she too was inspired by her bravery In a heartfelt open tribute to Belinda, Olivia has shared her sadness at the loss of her ‘beautiful, vibrant, strong’ friend.
The pair, who were introduced during a photo shoot for New Idea in 1998, became good friends sharing a passion of life, love and laughter, and stayed in regular contact.
Together they made a unique pact, despite their own battles, to raise awareness of breast cancer and spread the message about the importance of early detection. Undoubtedly, they have saved many lives.
‘I feel it’s my responsibility to let people know how it can happen to anybody,’ Belinda told reporters. ‘I don’t want to scare women, but if you’ve got a lump get it checked out. Mammograms don’t always detect things in young women.’
For Belinda, meeting her childhood idol Olivia, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, was a huge thrill. The actress had just completed six weeks of radiation after the removal of a malignant breast lump.
‘It’s surreal for me, I followed Olivia’s story when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and I remember thinking: “God! Not Olivia!”’ Belinda said at the time.
‘So it’s ironic that six years after that, I was diagnosed with cancer and Olivia is telling me: “You’ll be OK.” It’s bizarre.’
You do feel a common bond,’ Belinda said. ‘Olivia was saying to me: “What did you have done? Oh I did that, yeah I’ve been there.” I thought, if she can get through it, so can I. She was in my mind constantly because she was the one person I knew who was still vibrant and beautiful and amazing and still doing everything,’ Belinda said. And Olivia was instantly struck by Belinda’s sunny, vibrant personality.
‘We had an immediate bond because we’ve been through the same thing,’ Olivia reveals. ‘It was a real pleasure to meet Belinda - she’s a charming and positive young woman. She has handled her ordeal with great maturity.’
Like Olivia, who is currently raising funds to build Australia’s premier cancer treatment hospital, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, Belinda worked tirelessly to support breast cancer causes and was one of the founding faces of the New Idea Breast Cancer Fund. True to her positive spirit, Belinda once said: ‘It’s about forgetting all the crap that goes on and just enjoying yourself.’
Which is exactly what she did when she met Olivia. Together they laughed, cried and poured out their hearts to forge a bond Olivia will treasure forever.
For my sweet Belinda (Olivia's letter)
Belinda Emmett was a beautiful spirit inside and out, an incredibly strong and positive person, a very talented singer and actress, a very special woman. We first met in August of 1998 in Los Angeles at a New Idea photo shoot for breast cancer survivors.
Belinda had just gone through her first bout with breast cancer and I remember being shocked at how young she was to have gone through such an ordeal, and was so taken with her wonderful sunny personality and by her beauty and vibrance. We have stayed in touch over the years and never in all that time did I ever hear anything but positive and constructive words from Belinda, she was a true light.
She fought a courageous battle and her attitude, even when she was suffering the most difficult of circumstances, was to not allow any negative thoughts in. She always believed she could win. A true fighter, a non quitter. I will miss Belinda and I am so very sad.
She is an inspiration to me and I would like to send my love to the family, especially to Rove, who has been a pillar of love and strength for Belinda.
I am thinking of you and wish I could give you all a big hug.
The loss of such a young vibrant woman as Belinda is a sad reminder of the extreme importance of breast self-examination and early detection and the urgency that we find a cure for this dreaded disease of breast cancer.
Love and light, Olivia
I have had the pleasure of knowing Belinda for quite some time and she is one of the strongest, most inspiring women I have ever crossed paths with. Delta Goodrem