Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre (ONJCWRC)
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (ONJCWRC), or the ONJ Centre as it is popularly called, which opened in 2012 is a comprehensive cancer centre dedicated to providing leading medical treatment and breakthrough research, complemented by the best in wellness and supportive care.
The ONJ Centre embraces a holistic approach to cancer treatment, which means it not only focuses on people’s bodies but also their minds and spirits. The centre works to help patients live better with cancer and defeat it through world class treatment, integrated research, leading clinical trials and tailored wellness programs.
You can take a virtual tour if you want to have a look inside this state of the art hospital.
Olivia Newton-John: patron of the ONJCWRC
The hospital’s patron, Dame Olivia Newton-John, who sadly passed away on 8 August 2022, believed that positive thinking and a supportive environment played an important role in her own cancer journey. This is why she wanted to create a wellness centre that stimulates all of the senses. In addition to high-quality medical care, the ONJ Centre offers a full range of complementary therapies to support people throughout their treatment.
As founding champion of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre Dame Olivia has worked tirelessly in her efforts to support the centre any way she can. She brought her passion to incorporate wellness into the cancer care the hospital offers.
As a long time cancer thriver herself Dame Olivia attested that complementary therapies improved her wellbeing and maintained her positive spirit when she was on her own cancer journey. So it was only natural that wellness became the guiding principle behind the philosophy of the centre.
The wellness activities of the ONJ Centre rely on government and philanthropic support, as well as donations from the public.
Raising funds for cancer treatment the Grease way
In november 2019 Dame Olivia held an auction of personal items with Juliens Auction to support the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre. She sold memorabilia from her career as well as personal items. She sold the famous jacket and pants from Grease. The jacket was purchased by an unknown buyer – who later returned the jacket! (see video below)- and the pants were purchased by Spandex founder Sara Blakely.