Former Home and Away actor and X Factor star Johnny Ruffo has shared some life advice from the heart that has no doubt been shaped by his journey with terminal cancer.
The 34 year old was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2017 after doctors discovered a seven centimetre tumour that had grown over a frontal lobe in his brain.
After being cleared of cancer in 2019, Johnny enjoyed a year of being blissfully cancer free, but unfortunately just a year later his cancer returned and after several rounds of chemotherapy, Johnny confirmed that his cancer was now terminal.
Despite his diagnosis, Johnny has found ways to find joy in his life.
(IMAGE: Instagram)But speaking with KICPOD podcast hosts Laura Henshaw and Steph Claire Smith recently, Johnny shared his life philosophy, bringing both hosts to tears in the process.
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“Cherish life,” Johnny told them.
”Don’t sweat the small things and make sure the last conversation you have with people that you love is a good one.”
Johnny has said he worries about how his girlfriend Tahnee Sims will cope without him.
(IMAGE: Instagram)He then opened up about his long term partner Tahnee Sims, who has been by his side for the past eight years and throughout his cancer journey.
”Everytime Tahnee and I leave one another…I always tell her I love her,” he said.
”You know I may have a seizure or something might happen and I just want her to know that the last thing she spoke to me about was that I loved her.
”Never leave a conversation on a bad note.”
Johnny revealed his brain cancer has become terminal.
(IMAGE: Ten)Opening up about his terminal diagnosis for the first time in August 2022 to The Project’s Carrie Bickmore, Johnny said whilst he was devastated, he was trying to look on the bright side of life.
”At some point it will get me, but I’m still fighting, still kicking on.”
”Looking up my diagnosis and my tumour, the average life expectancy was three years. And for me it’s now been five years.
”I’m already winning. My goal now is to try and help as many people as I can and live a happy life.”
Despite his short-term life expectancy, Johnny is living his life with a long term outlook, making the most of whatever time he has with the people he loves most in the places he loves.
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