Love Your Sister's Connie Johnson continues to inspire cancer researchers a year after her death.
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Friend Amy English was a constant support to Connie, a Canberra mum-of-two who ran Love Your Sister with her brother Samuel Johnson.
"I am actually really struggling with it, I can’t believe it’s been a year already,'' Amy said, of losing Connie.
"She had such an incredible impact on my life and I miss her so much. I went from spending every day with her to her being gone. I wasn’t ready to let her go.''
Amy said she would spend some quiet time thinking about Connie on the first anniversary of her friend's death.
"I will probably just have a cheeky Guava Vodka Cruiser - her fave drink - and read through my countless texts and look at photos of us,'' she said.
"We had an amazing experience at Jamala Wildlife Lodge with [Connie's] two boys and I have lots of beautiful videos and photos from that day and night that I will reminisce with.''
Associate Professor Elgene Lim is head of the Connie Johnson Lab at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney.
He, too, will be remembering Connie on Saturday.
"It's hard to imagine a year has passed so quickly. She means a lot members of my lab and broader Love Your Sister community and the residents of Canberra too,'' he said.
"Connie continues to be an inspiration to all of us, to researchers, to fellow human beings alike. She was a great ambassador and advocated for cancer research.
"And I think, you know she had this fantastic skill I've not encountered, which is the ability to communicate what it means to live with cancer and to voice her struggles, as well, in a very human way.'
Professor Lim said the lab was established by funds raised by Samuel Johnson's unicycle ride across Australia, which finished in 2014. The funding was for four years and due to expire soon.
He said the institute had access to a range of funding and would not be stopping its work.
"We've named the lab after Connie in recognition of Connie and Sam's tireless work towards cancer advocacy and, importantly, Connie represents the group of patients we strive to serve,'' he said.
"Regardless of whether there is ongoing funding from Love Your Sister, we will be committed to this cause and committed to Connie's memory.''
Amy English said Connie would be remembered for her cancer advocacy but believed her greatest legacy were her two sons.
"She loved Willoughby and Hamilton so much and was so proud of them. She loved being a mum more than anything,'' Amy said.