Kestie Morassi always knew the storyline involving her character Maggie’s battle with lymphoma would be charged with strong emotion. Yet nothing could have prepared the seasoned actress for the overwhelming response she has received from viewers.
‘When I first got the scripts in my hot little hands, my initial reaction was nerves,’ says Kestie, who herself has lost close family members to cancer.
‘You really want to do something like this justice – you’re exploring the journey that so many people have gone through and continue to go through.’
And Kestie certainly has done it justice, with fans deeply touched by her portrayal of Maggie’s fight for life.
‘I suppose gratitude is the thing I’ve felt most,’ says Kestie, who has just celebrated her 40th birthday.
‘I’m really happy with how it’s turned out, and that’s a testament to everyone involved. We all really wanted to get it right. There has been such an incredible response from audiences, which means so much to me. People have thanked me and the show for representing this journey and giving them more of an understanding of it.’
So moved has Kestie been by the reaction that she didn’t hesitate to sign up as an ambassador for the Cancer Council’s iconic Daffodil Day, which takes place this Friday.
Kestie was also delighted to meet cancer survivor, talented singer-songwriter Timothy James Bowen, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma three years ago at age 25.
Now glowing with health after undergoing extensive treatment, including months of intensive chemotherapy, Timothy says: ‘Everything is really good and I’m feeling amazing. It’s the best I could have hoped for. It’s a real privilege to be here.’
As for this year’s Daffodil Day, all Aussies are urged to show their support to help raise more than $4 million for vital cancer research by buying a daffodil.
‘I’m just so pleased to be involved,’ says Kestie. ‘It’s very humbling.’
For more information on Daffodil Day, which takes place this Friday, August 24, go to daffodilday.com.au.
For the full story, and more Home And Away exclusives, see this weeks issue of New Idea – on sale now!
