The Love Your Sister return

Today could have been a much different day. Connie Johnson's breast cancer prognosis meant she might not have been there to welcome her brother Samuel home as he unicycled into Federation Square.

But she was there and they greeted each other with a hug that the thousands in Federation Square didn't want to end.

Samuel, one of the faces of Love Your Sister, has just completed a unicycle ride around Australia, in the name of breast cancer awareness and raising money for research. He's covered more than 15000 km and raised over 1.4 million Australian dollars for The Garvan Research Institute.

He got people talking about being breast aware. And he kept his promise he made to his sister years ago over a few drinks, and she's continued to fight breast cancer. I believe it was this journey, this amazing cause, that has helped her live.

But Love Your Sister has strengthened both of them. Samuel believes Connie has saved him. On the stage at Federation Square, he said to Connie "You've given me a life I cherish now. I'm going to cherish every day we have left together."

There wasn't a dry eye in Federation Square.

The Garvan Institute has set up a fellowship in Connie's name - a beautiful legacy she will leave.

While the unicycle ride is over, Sam's not giving up. "I'm pissed off" he says, saying he started off being pissed off at the way cancer was robbing his sister's life, but now he's angry on behalf of all the women affected by breast cancer that he's met this last year on the road. "It's tearing families apart", he said. "My job starts on Monday." He wants to continue advocating until his last breath.

You can still donate to Love Your Sister at loveyoursister.org. Follow them on Facebook too, they're doing an amazing job.

Congratulations to everyone involved on the enormous effort.

It's been wonderful to be a part of Love Your Sister promotions since the (public) beginning. I'm so glad Samuel took a chance on me to tell his story through this blog. And I'm so glad I was able to meet Connie one year later at the finishing line. I've seen incredible kindness, strength and determination. These two are true heroes, role models.

As a blogger, it's always great to donate my time and content space to a cause. Bloggers, if there's a charity that resonates with you, don't be afraid to reach out to them and see how you can spread their message.

 

[Video] Samuel Johnson gives an update on Love Your Sister

Last Friday I caught up with Samuel Johnson from Love Your Sister while he's spending some time in Melbourne.

You may remember my interview with him earlier in the year before he set off on an epic unicycle ride around Australia, raising money for and awareness of breast cancer. That is 15,000 km and a $1 Million goal. Samuel's sister Connie is dying from breast cancer and Samuel's unicycle trip and activism is one of her wishes.

Samuel has the most incredible spirit, generosity and determination - his commitment to Connie's wish is so admirable.

I've been following his trip on social media and have been in awe at the photography documenting the places he's been to, and the generosity of Australians he's met. I asked him a little about his journey (it's six months since he departed from Federation Square) and what more we can do to help. (Apologies for the sound towards the end - it's been extremely windy in Melbourne and it was very blustery on the day we filmed this interview.)

Samuel and the Love Your Sister crew are in need of food and petrol vouchers - so if you are in a location where he's headed, get in touch with the crew.

Thanks for your time doing this interview, Samuel, and to Emma from Love Your Sister for making it happen!

For more information, updates on Samuel's unicycle journey and to donate, visit Love Your Sister's website, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram.

Love Your Sister - the launch. A pink akubra, Samuel and Connie, and a fangirl moment.

Friday 15 February was launch day for Samuel and Connie Johnson's charity Love Your Sister. Sunshine and fanfare sent Samuel and his team off unicycling around Australia. They'll be gone for a year - 15,000 km - to raise $1 million for breast cancer research and support. I chatted to Samuel about Love Your Sister in January - watch our chat here. Connie is in her mid 30s and has a husband and two beautiful little boys - she is dying of cancer. Samuel said that she wants this unicycle ride to be her legacy.

I passed Samuel as I walked through Federation Square on my way from my radio interview - we had a quick chat. When I returned, I saw him practicing his exit from the stage...

...and around the barrier for the audience. He was a little wobbly down the ramp and over the cobblestones, but he unicycled seamlessly on his third attempt - met with a round of applause and cheers.

A brass band from Mornington Secondary College (where Connie went to highschool) provided the provided the pomp and ceremony for the occasion.

Molly Meldrum and Brigitte Duclos were the MCs of the event. Molly gave Samuel a pink akubra. I llove that Molly supported this cause - later on the stage, he presented Samuel with a message from another two iconic Australians - Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton John, both who have fought breast cancer.

I had a quick chat with Molly - he is really lovely. I told him how I was once in the lift at work with him - when he was off to the passports office, and he said "that'd be right".

It was very hot so I went to have a drink with some friends, and by the time we returned, there was a huge media scrum around Connie, Samuel and the celebrity women who came to support Love Your Sister. Tottie Goldsmith, Jo Stanley, Catherine McClements and Deb Mailman and Claudia Karvan from Secret Life of Us were there. I also saw Fletcher Humphries and Scott Major in the crowd.

I had a complete fangirl moment when I saw Deb Mailman and Claudia Karvan. I chatted to Claudia first, she said "hi I'm Claudia" and I said "I know" - So. Uncool. We chatted about Secret Life Of Us, I told her and Deb about the Iridescents pyramid scheme post I wrote recently, and they told me they both discussed that storyline on the plane that morning,

They were so so lovely - and after being a fan of their work for more than a decade, it was an honour to meet them.

I didn't get a chance to meet Connie on the day - she was busy with media and family commitments.

She spoke so eloquently - she is so beautiful and strong. Her message was clear - she doesn't want other young mums to fall into the booby trap - she encourages every woman to be breast aware and get check ups before it's too late.

 

The crowd was huge by launch time. So many people came to support Samuel and Connie on Friday, and have continued to do so as Samuel's been unicycling around Victoria.

The launch was very emotional. Molly and Brigitte spoke about Samuel and Connie's courage. A representative from the Garvan Institute spoke on stage about the way they support women with breast cancer and promised they will protect and love Connie while Samuel is away. And Connie spoke of her cancer journey and the love she has for her brother. She said she'll be here to see Sam return. I hope she is. The family are so close knit and to watch them say goodbye to Samuel was so sad.

Samuel set off to the beat of the brass band, waving goodbye. His family and friends on stage were in tears. Many in the crowd were too, including me. I really hope Connie is here to hug Samuel as he cycles across the finish line in a year.

Leisa said I could use this picture, after my pictures of his send off weren't so clear. You can read her account of the launch here.

 

The love, strength and spirit these siblings have is amazing. The reality of Connie's prognosis and Samuel's generosity of unicycling around Australia, certainly shows us how important it is to live life to its fullest, and to treasure your family and friends.

This video was shown on screen at Fed Square - it shows Samuel and Connie's journey, and the incredible support of celebrities, sponsors and strangers. 

For more information, updates on Samuel's unicycle journey and to donate, visit Love Your Sister's website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

You can see all of my photos from the Love Your Sister launch and my chat with Samuel on my Facebook page. 

The Love Your Sister Launch - Friday 15 February, Federation Square, Melbourne

Samuel Johnson from Love Your Sister sets off on his unicycle journey around Australia this Friday. He's doing it for his sister Connie, who's dying of breast cancer. They want to tell Australia: "Don't fall into the booby trap. Be breast aware."

Get down to Federation Square to see the Love Your Sister team off. Spread the word!

Follow Samuel's journey.

Donate to Love Your Sister.

Follow Love Your Sister on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Watch Connie and Samuel on The Project.

Read Planning With Kids' interview with Connie.

View my interview with Samuel.

You can donate in the following ways:

Online loveyoursister.org

In Person At any Bendigo Bank branch

via Phone 1300 73 66 77 (9am - 5pm AEST)

Accepting Mastercard, Visa and American Express

Cheque/Money Order

Made payable to “Garvan Research Foundation - LYS” and free postal to

Love Your Sister

c/o Garvan Research Foundation

Reply Paid 68593

DARLINGHURST NSW 2010

Direct Deposit

BSB: 082 057

Account: 133 117 2929

Garvan Research Foundation - Love Your Sister account

*Please use your name as ID for this deposit.

All donations $2 and over are fully tax deductible

[Video] Samuel Johnson chats about Love Your Sister

 

Samuel Johnson, one of Australia's most recognisable young actors and voice-over artists, is training eight to nine hours a day on a unicycle. He's resting up where he can, even in steel circles in parks. Because in February, Samuel will embark on a trip around Australia on a unicycle. That's 15,000 km over a year. He's doing it for his sister Connie, who's dying of breast cancer.

Samuel and Connie have set up the Love Your Sister charity to raise awareness about breast cancer and $1 Million for the Garvan Research Foundation and The Cancer Support Group. The unicycle trip is a challenge Connie set for Samuel as her legacy.

Samuel met me for a chat about Love Your Sister, Connie and the 36 inch wheel that will be getting him around Australia. While we kept our chat quite light, the reality of Connie's terminal illness - and the many, many other cancer patients -  is so very sad. It made me reflect on the people in my life who have been touched by cancer.

You can watch our chat below. Mum, Dad - I hope you are watching because I set Samuel a challenge that involves you and haggis...

 

I wanted to see Samuel in action, so he gave me a demo on his unicycle. There were some kids playing in the park and they were so excited to see him cycle.

Samuel has asked me to help him out with promoting Love Your Sister, so look out for some more updates of his journey. I'd love it if you got involved too - promoting and donating where you can. We all have women in our lives who can benefit from Samuel and Connie's mission.

For more information, updates on Samuel's unicycle journey and to donate, visit Love Your Sister's website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.