"So like your mum": Chloe Lattanzi visits patients at ONJ Wellness Centre
Olivia Newton-John was known for many things: mostly for being a giant of the Australian entertainment industry.
But according to her daughter Chloe, her most important legacy was the work she did at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre.
Since her mother died in August 2022 after a 30-year journey with cancer, Chloe is determined to continue her extraordinary work, and joined A Current Affair's Ally Langdon to visit patients in the centre to hear their stories.
Chloe Lattanzi dropped into the centre with her cousin Tottie Goldsmith, where she was greeted by patients who were over the moon to meet her.
"Oh my god, you are so like your mum," one patient told Lattanzi as she squeezed her tight in a warm hug.
"You're just beautiful like her … she's an Aussie treasure."
"She's done so much and I'm so grateful for what she's done here because they (staff) are just amazing."
Lattanzi said she first visited the ONJ Wellness Centre with her mum in 2019 and now she's "very passionate" about continuing her legacy.
"I am very much looking forward to meeting the people who are here and connecting with them," Lattanzi said.
"I hope to bring some kind of comfort and joy … because I know what they're going through."
Patients in the centre were quick to praise the work Olivia Newton-John had done in creating the centre, sharing how much of a difference such an environment had while undergoing treatment.
"Everything's serene and calm because it's a traumatic time and to have that sort of thing is really marvellous," another patient said.
"It's a home away from home," Sergio, who is also a patient at the centre, added.
Chloe said that it was an honour to be invited into the centre and felt her mother with her "in spirit".
"I feel like she's inside of me and this is my purpose," Lattanzi said.
Director of Austin Health Foundation Debbie Shiell was also at the centre when Lattanzi paid the patients a visit and said "Chloe gave them the gift that Olivia gave them".
"Olivia gave them a break from here and love and healing energy and that was really special to witness and I have no doubt that those people you saw today will be beaming tomorrow," Shiell told Lattanzi.
"This (wellness centre) is her vision, her legacy."
Image credits: A Current Affair