Sam’s hitting the road
Dedicated breast cancer campaigner heading out
HE’S travelled across Australia on a unicycle, raising millions for breast cancer research in the process – now actor Samuel Johnson has declared he’s packing his bags again.
The Gold Logie winner and founder of the Love Your Sister Campaign, who flew to Toowoomba yesterday to visit the students of St Ursula’s College, said he would hit the road early next year and travel around the country once again.
Since starting his quest to find a cure for breast cancer in 2011, sparked when his late sister Connie was diagnosed with the disease, Mr Johnson has raised more than 80 per cent of his $10 million goal.
And when that final dollar comes in, he’ll want to be on the road to celebrate it.
“I’ll say it for the first time, I’m going to go out again next year around the country, minus the unicycle and do a lap of honour for my sister, and thank everyone who helped to realise her dream of raising $10 million for cancer,” he said.
“I will not be in the office when that 10 millionth dollar is sent in.
“Our work is best done faceto-face and I’ve got no interest in screaming about a cure for cancer from an ivory tower.”
St Ursula’s students and staff have done their part, handing the tireless campaigner a donation of $1000 for the campaign.
A visibly-emotional Mr Johnson then sat down with students, imploring them to speak to their mothers about early detection.
“I’ll be throwing out a friendly challenge for girls to speak to their mums tonight over the dinner table about checking their breasts,” he said.
“I get a lot of letters from parents who say, ‘thanks for visiting my kid’s school and asking them to hassle me’, because they got checked, found something and it got resolved.
“To know you can have a direct impact like that is really encouraging, because early detection is still the best cure.”
The students across various age groups raised funds through cupcake stalls and icebloke sales, as well as coloured ribbons during “pink month” in October.
Student member of the Pink Ladies Service Group Breanna Simmons said Mr Johnson’s message was inspiring.
“It’s pretty cool he’s here – I’m very excited. He’s pretty dedicated to his cause and it’s nice to see how he raises money for it,” she said.
‘‘ I WILL NOT BE IN THE OFFICE WHEN THAT 10 MILLIONTH DOLLAR IS SENT IN. SAMUEL JOHNSON