ACTOR-turned-cancer research champion Samuel Johnson was the inspiration for Kelly-Louise Austin to start her own not-for-profit charity.
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Now, Ms Austin is turning Twin Hearts' inaugural gala ball fundraiser shiny and sparkly in a tilt to Love Your Sister, the charity Johnson launched with his sister to boost cancer research and encourage all women to check their boobs more often.
Eight years ago, coinciding with the week of the ball, Ms Austin's dad was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer. She was his primary carer for 2 1/2 years.
Ms Austin said Love Your Sister seemed the perfect fit to partner with Twin Hearts for its first ball and Johnson, who hails from Daylesford, will be suiting up for the occasion.
I wouldn't have had that 2 1/2 years with dad without cancer research and trials.
- Kelly-Louise Austin, Twin Hearts founder
"Every person on the Twin Hearts committee has a story with cancer. We've all been touched very, very deeply in different ways," Ms Austin said.
"...I was living overseas when Dad was diagnosed. I threw my stuff in a suitcase and came home. I wouldn't have had that 2 1/2 years with dad without cancer research and trials."
Twin Hearts typically spreads the love to charities with the money it raises but with next month's ball the organisation will donate 90 per cent of ticket sales and all money raised on the night to Love Your Sister.
Ms Austin said Johnson's passion and grassroots focus on helping people helped guide her decision for starting a charity to better channel her energy and experience with not-for-profits.
Twin Hearts, launched in 2016, allows Ms Austin a chance to help boost small organisations and causes about the region. For each fundraising venture in Ballarat, Twin Hearts also matches with a sister charity in Tanzania. This is why 10 per cent of ticket sales for the inaugural ball will help set up a sister charity in Tanzania.
"I have spent time working and living in Kenya and Tanzania, and I am extremely passionate about helping to break the poverty cycle for women and children around the world, and Twin Hearts is my way of doing so," Ms Austin said.
In the lead up to the ball, Twin Hearts is encouraging people to share their cancer stories - heartbreaking and heartwarming.
For more details and tickets to the ball, visit twinhearts.org.au.
Twin Hearts' gala ball is at Civic Hall on Saturday, October 12.
Fundraising tins can be found about town, including in Wendouree MP Juliana Addison's office.
Ms Austin said new cafe The Building in Main Road, which is catering the event, was also soon to host a special fundraising day.
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