Samuel Johnson's heartbreaking admission about his sister: 'Copped all the bullets'

Samuel Johnson has shared a heartbreaking admission about his sister Connie, who died of cancer in 2017, in the new SBS series The Hospital: In the Deep End. During the episode, Sam speaks about his experience with cancer, revealing he'd developed a phobia of hospitals when his sister was first diagnosed as a child.

Connie suffered from three different types of cancer throughout her life, with the philanthropist being diagnosed with bone cancer at 11, uterine cancer at 22, and then breast cancer at 33.

"Dad and Connie came home in Dad’s blue Torana, and I knew something was up," Sam said of the moment he realised something was really wrong. "Dad said, 'She’s got a tumour.' And I didn’t know what a tumour was.

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"Then gradually, I learned that it was cancer. She got cancer when she was 11 in her leg, when she was 22 in her womb and when she was 33 in her breast. And then it spread and she died, with two young kids."

He heartbreakingly added, "So I don’t remember my sister not having cancer. She’s my dear sister who copped all the bullets and for some reason, I’m scot-free so far."

Sam and Connie founded the Love Your Sister charity and were able to raise $6 million at the time of her death, with the actor aiming to raise $10 million.

'Such a tragedy'

Fans were quick to share their sympathy for Sam, with one user writing, "So sad and such a tragedy for you and all your sister's family Sam! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and all your family!"

"The show is awesome and so beautifully handled with such sensitive subjects," another added. "Samuel is obviously a lovely and sensitive man. I can see the show getting an award - well done to all concerned."

"I followed Sam all through his much loved sister's battle. His dedication and love for her was so very clear to see," a third wrote. "The best brother a girl could have."

"He is a legend right!!!?" someone else said. "The dedication he has to spread the word is incredible. Will be a hard watch but Sam I will watch it because you have put yourself out there yet again. Thank you."

'We lost Connie'

Sam announced Connie's death on September 8, 2017, just hours after she received the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Taking to Facebook, Sam wrote: "We lost Connie today. Or, as she asked me to say, she died of cancer today. It was so beautiful. We laughed, we cried, we sang stupid songs from our childhood to her, which she loved (mostly!)."

He added, "I read her so many village messages, which she relished. She went so richly, and with such grace. Trust me, she was genuinely cushioned by your love, till the end."

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