Tributes Are Pouring In For Breast Cancer Awareness Advocate Connie Johnson
RIP.
Thousands of people have taken to social media to pay tribute to Connie Johnson, after the breast cancer awareness advocate passed away on Friday at the age of just 40 years old.
A tireless campaigner for women’s health who battled multiple bouts of cancer over the course of her life, Johnson co-founded the charity Love Your Sister with her brother, Logie-winning actor Samuel Johnson. Together, they raised more than $5.6 million for breast cancer research, with Samuel famously raising $1.5 million by unicycling around Australia.
Samuel shared the news of Connie’s passing via a heartfelt post on the charity’s Facebook page.
“We lost Connie today,” he wrote. “Or, as she asked me to say, she died of cancer today.”
“I’m sad and sorry to be the one to tell you this, yet at the same time, as the Chief Custodian of my sister’s legacy, I also feel extremely grateful and proud.”
The post has already attracted more than a quarter of a million reactions, and nearly 25,000 comments.
An online tribute wall set up by Connie’s family has likewise been flooded with messages of love and support. Commenters are also being encouraged to donate to Love Your Sister.
“Please excuse my frankness at this time but I’m compelled by Connie’s wishes,” wrote Samuel on the wall. “She wanted me to to remind you that words don’t weigh as much as money for research, and as much as we hate it, cash is what our scientists need to keep our families healthy.”
Samuel also asked women to remember to check their breasts for signs of cancer. “If they can check them on the night that [Connie] dies, she’ll be very happy,” he said.
In the hours before her death, Connie was awarded the Order of Australia Medal by the Governor-General. She is survived by her brother, her husband and two children.
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Feature image via Love Your Sister/Facebook