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'In shock': Olivia Newton-John heartbroken over death of nurse

Olivia Newton-John has shared her heartbreak online after her friend died suddenly.

Taking to her Instagram page, the Australian singer and actress revealed a nurse, who cared for her while she was receiving treatment at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre, passed away after a short illness.

Olivia Newton-John on zoom
Olivia Newton-John has shared her heartbreak online after her friend died suddenly. Photo: Instagram/Olivia Newton-John

“My heart is still in shock and so saddened to learn of the sudden loss of the very special Emma Cohen. Emma took care of me at a very vulnerable time in my life when I was a patient on her unit at the @onjcancercentre in 2018,” Olivia wrote.

“She ensured my stay was safe and comfortable, always had practical advice for me, showed strong leadership skills and had a great sense of humor.

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“She was a bright, energetic and powerful woman with a huge future ahead of her, and we connected on our mission to help patients on their cancer journey.

“Emma had such a generous spirit and a warm and loving heart - I will miss seeing her lovely face at the Centre and send my love and deepest condolences to her friends and family.”

Olivia Newton-John and Emma Cohen.
Olivia and Emma Cohen pictured together. Photo: Instagram/Olivia Newton-John

A photo accompanying the caption shows Olivia sitting in a hospital room with Emma leaving on her bed. It was taken in 2018.

Olivia Newton-John has battled breast cancer three times and has been living with metastatic breast cancer since 2017.

Speaking to Yahoo Life in October, Olivia announced the launch of her new Olivia Newton-John Foundation, in the midst of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with a mission to “fund the discovery of kinder therapies and advocate for more effective ways to prevent, treat and cure all cancers.”

“I’ve often wondered why we can’t find kinder ways of treating our bodies and boosting our immune systems rather than poisoning them and knocking them down,” she said, referring to having gone through own treatments over the past nearly-three decades.

“That’s why I’m starting this organization and I’m very excited about it, to help all cancers.”

She also spoke about the loss of her friend and John Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston, who died of breast cancer at the age of 57 last year.

“Of course I reached out to [John Travola], he’s my dear friend and I feel so strongly and so sad for the family,” she said.

She said losing her friend “has really strengthened my resolve to fund and find kinder treatments for cancer. That’s my dream… because [I have] been on this journey for 28 years now, from the first time I had to seven years ago when I had the recurrences.”

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