In one of her last interviews, Olivia Newton-John was asked what she hoped her legacy would be.
"One word: positivity I guess," she said with a laugh, speaking to Japanese broadcaster NHK WORLD in February.
"But I guess I'd like to think I made a difference in helping people heal from cancer."
Now, after her death at 73 years of age, patients, researchers and advocates are paying tribute to the singer and the enormous contribution she made to cancer research.
Vicki Durston, the director of policy, advocacy and support services at Breast Cancer Network Australia, said it was a "very hard day in the breast cancer community".
"We'd like to acknowledge her life's legacy, not just in music, but the contribution that she made to inspire people living with cancer."
Becoming an advocate after a personal journey
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, in the same week her father died of cancer.
She underwent a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and breast reconstruction, before entering remission.
In the next three decades Newton-John was diagnosed with cancer twice more: in 2013, shortly after her older sister's death, and in 2017, with stage four cancer.
Throughout the years the singer remained positive, and channelled much of her time and energy into advocacy.
"When you're going through breast cancer for a lot of years and you go through a lot of things, you really learn grace and what other people are suffering," she told NHK WORLD.
"I think that's why I wanted to help other people because I've been there, and I don't want other people to go through what I've gone through if that's possible at all — that's what inspires me."
The singer founded the Olivia Newton-John Foundation to fund research into cancer therapies, and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre (ONJ Centre) in Melbourne, to support people on their journey with cancer.
Part of Newton-John's vision was to create a holistic approach to treating cancer that looked after the whole patient — mind, body and spirit, said Adam Horsburgh, the chief executive of the ONJ Centre.
The star had found holistic therapies helpful in her own cancer journey, and wanted to make them accessible to other people.
"She's touched the lives of thousands of patients, and really changed the way that we look at and provide cancer care," Mr Horsburgh told reporters this morning.
The centre provides a range of wellness services including yoga, massage, nutrition, as well as music and art therapies, to support people going through cancer treatments.
The holistic approach championed by Newton-John helped cancer patient Manjula Shaw at the right time.
Ms Shaw said that, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she didn't allow herself to "think or feel anything". She stifled her emotions, and even one of her surgeons commented that he had never seen her cry.
However, years after her diagnosis, while visiting the Austin Hospital for a post-op review, she saw some leaflets for the ONJ Centre and walked in.
"Stepping into that centre ... it was a place of calmness, serenity, there were no expectations from anyone, you can just feel what you feel," she said.
"All of those emotions that I had bottled up for years were just let out, and I couldn't contain.
"It just allowed me to feel everything about what I was going through over the past few years. I've stayed connected to that place."
Ms Shaw also participated in a mindfulness session which, she said, had helped her enormously.
"It just came about at a time in my life where it just gave me sanity. It saved me," she said.
It wasn't only the holistic approach to cancer treatment that has changed the lives of patients.
Newton-John's positive attitude and openness about her own experiences also inspired many patients and gave them hope, said Debbie Shiell, a fundraising director with the ONJ Centre.
"Anyone who knew Olivia knew what a beautiful soul she was, and what genuine happiness she exuded, and her visits here in the centre were just so so special to the staff here who work so hard and also to the patients," she told ABC Breakfast.
"Just watching her walk into the room and watching the faces light up, the joy she brings to so many people just by being there, she was the light at the end of the tunnel for so many people."
Ms Shiell said the ONJ Centre was Newton-John's dream, and one of the things she was most proud of.
"I remember talking with her about it ... she drove around the corner and saw her name up on the (ONJ Centre) building and said it was better than any billboard she'd seen."
Olivia Newton-John was made a dame in the Queen's New Year honours list in 2019, in recognition of her services to charity, cancer research and entertainment.
Breast cancer survivors pay tribute to a 'wonderful icon'
One of the people touched by Newton-John's work was Suzi Juracic, a Melbourne woman who was first diagnosed with a type of blood cancer in 2015.
She first went into the ONJ Centre for a treatment in 2016, where she met the star for the first time.
"When she walked in it was like, 'Oh my god Sandy has just walked into my room'. This was just amazing," Ms Juracic told the ABC.
She ended up meeting Newton-John three other times, and said the star remembered her and asked about her treatment.
"She was engaging, she was very interested in my journey and my feedback and I was blown away by that."
Ms Juracic said the holistic approach taken at the ONJ Centre was an "absolute standout".
"She actually wanted to use her profile to create something that was extraordinary that could benefit other people, because she felt that that was lacking in her own cancer journey," Ms Juracic said.
Many other people who have been through a cancer diagnosis and treatment have also shared their stories with the ABC, saying Newton-John provided hope during a difficult time.
What a wonderful icon who enriched all of us musically and for real. Following her BC journey was such a comfort in my own. Always a star now shining above us all, Vale lovely lady <3 - Margot
Olivia was a large part of the soundtrack of my life. Her courage in facing breast cancer supported me when I faced it myself. Vale Olivia. We were fortunate to have you. - Robyn
Myself as a breast cancer 'thrivivor', a Mum, a wife, someone who loves to sing, who tries to be active in community work, gosh Olivia was an inspiration and a lovely, lovely human. - Trish
Keeping Newton-John's legacy alive
Ms Juracic recently spent three weeks in hospital, and her room overlooked the ONJ Centre.
"Every night before I fell asleep the lights were on in the wellness centre, and every day I thought of her, and every day I thought, 'We're thriving'," she said.
"All the energy she put into that facility helped us as a family, and is still helping me today."
Newton-John was far more than a figurehead for the ONJ Centre and Foundation; the star was closely involved in the work, and before COVID-19 regularly flew to Melbourne for visits and fundraising events.
"She used her own profile to do that — flat out with her own life, she always found the time," Ms Juracic said.
Ms Shiell says the ONJ Centre will continue to honour Newton-John's mission.
"We're just so proud she chose to work with us at this centre and what she's achieved is so impactful," she said.
"What she's brought here to the ONJ centre is truly special, and we will honour that and keep that alive for her."
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