Love Your Sister...and your brother.

I can't begin to imagine what losing a sibling is like. I can't imagine what it would be like knowing they only had a limited amount of time and then watching their slow, inexorable decline.

I went to see Samuel Johnson off yesterday as he launched his 15,000 kilometre unicycle ride around Australia. You might remember Samuel from the show The Secret Life of Us, as the voice of Vodafone, Pedigree and his recent stint on Rush. For those of you who aren't aware, Samuel Johnson's sister Connie is dying of breast cancer so Samuel is embarking on a world record breaking unicycle ride around Australia to raise money for the Garvan Institute & to raise breast cancer awareness. I interviewed him for my web program Take 5 with Leisa about a week ago. He's a lovely bloke with a real heart of gold. After the interview I promised I'd come to the launch to wish him well.

I arrived early and he saw me standing there, waved enthusiastically and came down off the stage to give me a hug. I met the brave Connie who has not only battled cancer once but THREE times. It may take her body this time but it won't take her spirit.

Samuel will be gone for a year. Connie is determined to still be here when he returns. I hope so...her children are still so very, very young.

Today I feel as though I've lived a semi-charmed kind of life. I have two brothers and four sisters. We're still here. Tragedy has not visited us. I don't ever take that for granted. Life is fragile..but we need to remember to live as though its not. I want to catch up with my family more, laugh with them more, share memories and new experiences. One day one of us might not be here to do that anymore - and that one of us may even be me.

There's so much more I could say about yesterday, but I'll leave it for another time. The Johnson's story has affected me deeply and they're on my mind tonight.

If you want to know more of Samuel and Connie's story, please head to www.loveyoursister.org . Samuel would like to raise $1 million for the Garvan Institute. Please think about a donation.

For now, I'll leave you with some images from yesterday.

The Boobmobile!

Get your merchandise here!

Samuel and MC for the day - Molly Meldrum

Molly and me. 

Samuel and me

Meeting the lovely Connie.

It was such an honor meeting Connie. She is so gracious.

Connie takes the stage to deliver a very heart-moving speech. Not a dry eye in the house I tell you!

And he's off! The hearts of the country go with you Samuel!