MELBOURNE: Fashion agent Rhonda Martinez has been invited to join Olivia Newton-John on a celebrity walk to Beijing that will raise funds for cancer research and care.
Martinez will join the former 'Grease' star - along with a team of celebrity and non-celebrity cancer survivors - in a 21-day extreme challenge to trek along the Great Wall of China.
Taking place from April 7 to 29 the 'million step' journey - which symbolizes cancer sufferers' long journey to recovery - will raise funds for the 'Olivia Newton-John Wellness Centre' at Melbourne's Austin Hospital.
Martinez said the centre – the first of its kind in Australia – would offer dedicated research facilities for clinical trials focusing on the development of future cancer vaccines. It would also provide patient-centred care and medical treatment for all types of cancer.
"The Centre will take a new direction in cancer treatment in that it will treat the whole body, not just the symptoms. It will be all about wellness, encompassing all the senses - sight, sound touch, taste and smell. It will be a calm, quiet place where patients can come and reflect, have a massage or a coffee, talk to other patients, read or even have a cry. It will be a special place, an environment that allows patients to make some sense of their disease."
Martinez said she was calling on everyone in the fashion industry to get behind the cause.
"God knows, enough people have been touched by cancer in our industry. I am a survivor now for six years. Believe me when I say we all need a place like the Wellness Centre and I will be walking the Great Wall of China to help get it. If you care, please take the time to visit greatwalktobeijing.com and sponsor my steps to help raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal."