There was an emotional airport farewell depicted on the front page of The Canberra Times on this day 42 years ago.
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Cancer patient Sandra Lindh, 28, appeared calm as she waited with her husband, Robert, to begin her pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Sandra, mother of three small children, had terminal cancer. Her visit to Lourdes in search of a cure was the result of determination and the generosity of Canberra people and ACT businesses.
Sandra and Robert were accompanied by Sandra's nursing sister, Colleen Duff.
As relatives joked and cousins scuffled to relieve the tension of the impending separation, Robert nervously lit a cigarette, as Sandra said with a calm smile, "perhaps Robert might come back cured of smoking".
A Roman Catholic, Sandra took her rosary beads with her to be blessed at Lourdes and hoped to return with a small container of Lourdes water.
The Lindhs had received donations in money and in kind, totally around $8000.
"People have been absolutely marvelous to us, both individuals and companies," Mr Lindh said.
The money had been deposited in a special account and any excess was given to the Cancer Society.
