Chris Gardner and his daughters Emily and Cat

Christopher Gardner's wife Bridgit was first diagnosed with cancer at age 31, when their youngest daughter was only 18 months. Even with treatment, Bridget's cancer spread and she died at age 37.

Mr Gardner's hope is that his daughters won't have to go through what their mother did. Here's their story...

“Olivia’s own successful battle with cancer had been such an inspiration to us," he said. "I discussed with my daughters that I wanted to leave some money to the Centre in my Will, in honour of their mother."

Mr Gardner became an Bequest Ambassador last year, including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal in his Will.

"My hope is that my daughters won’t have to go through what their mother did, said Mr Gardner. "Remembering the Centre in my Will makes me feel like I am making a real difference in helping progress cancer care and treatment.”

"A cancer and wellness centre would have made such a difference to my wife and I in those dark days."

"It was hard enough for her having to go through treatment, but the cold clinical environment and small cramped waiting rooms that so often greeted us in the older hospitals and clinics made our experience even worse."

"What Olivia is trying to capture with her Centre, with the psychological side of things and the wellbeing of patients and families is so important. We found that to have not been so well catered for, in our own experience."

"I am worried about my daughters’ future. They have a strong family history of losing the women in their life very early to cancer.

"The girls lost their great grandmother, their grandmother and then their own mother to breast cancer. It’s like a cloud hanging over us."

"The research side of things is very important. There are some amazing inroads being made and researchers are gaining a much better understanding of how cancer works, which is another strong reason why I want to support the Centre."

If you would like to help by including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in your Will, contact our Bequest Manager on email bequests@austin.org.au or telephone 03 9496 5361.

For more information, visit Planned Giving