I met Dr. Ros Worthington in 2016 when she presented at the school that I work at. Everyone immediately fell in love with her and I was drawn to her spirit, humour and life experience. She made me feel like nothing would hurt me because she had been through SO MUCH and yet she was still smiling and incredibly radiant. I never forgot about her and a year later I decided to bite the bullet and ask to interview her. What is a blog about “Soul Fitness” if it doesn’t have a bit of Ros Worthington- the woman with a golden soul- injected into it? Luckily, she warmly responded and agreed to feature on my blog.

Dr. Ros is a very busy woman who has featured in many an article and is well known, respected and loved in Perth.  She has been the driving force behind many well-known charities including Make-A-Wish Foundation in WA, Breast Cancer Care WA, Lifeline, and the Love Angels Foundation; among other projects. Furthermore, she has won many prestigious awards for her philanthropy; most recently including the 2015 Western Australian of the Year for  Community Services.
(Don’t be fooled by her resume, she is extremely humble and has rarely been paid for her work.)

So, yes. Here I am, knocking on Dr. Ros Worthington’s door and she opens and warmly greets me. Her home is beautiful, clean and humble with candles burning and various angels decorating her living room. She quickly made me feel comfortable and was everything that I remembered her to be. I felt immediately excited because I was about to spend time with someone who would truly enrich my mind and soul.

Ros has a book called The Power Of Giving and I highly recommend that you purchase this from her website: http://www.rosworthington.com.au

Reading this book is an insight to an amazing person who has been dealt her fair share of adversities. Starting from childhood where she faced abandonment and abuse of all kinds. Further on down the line she faced divorce, many cancer cases in the family and the horrific death of her soul mate. You would never guess it because her smile is bigger than anyone I’ve met. She has dedicated her life to giving and spreading her word that the power of giving has nothing to do with money. Ros is a ‘no bullshit’ kind of person who is proactive, courageous and selfless. You will truly see this if you read her book, if you ever get the chance to listen to one of her motivational talks or have your child participate in her Love Angels community service activities in school.

Anyway, enough from me. I proudly present to you some of my interview with Dr. Ros Worthington OAM.

How did you start your journey as a philanthropist and cancer crusader?

“I had started Australasia’s first mastectomy boutique in New Zealand in the early 80’s. I was a trained surgical fitter. I would fit and look after the breast surgery patients. My mother had breast cancer at 34, as well as 4 cousins, 2 aunties and a sister all diagnosed with breast cancer at early ages. I had a chronic breast disease and after 12 lumpectomies, I had a full mastectomy and reconstruction because I was in a very high risk. I may have lost my breasts but I haven’t lost my sense of humour. It’s not what we go through, it’s how we deal with it. Shit happens to everybody. I just live everyday like it’s my last, because it very well could be.

Why did I start it? Because I always had empathy and passion for people that didn’t have anything. It’s the people that don’t have a voice that I go in to bat for.

Don’t feel sorry for me, I’m the most blessed person in the world. I meet the most amazing people every day of my life. It’s a good world, my world. You can do good by just doing small things.”

What is your advice to people looking into charity work and community service?

“There are far too many charities and not-for-profits as it is. I say to people who want to make a difference, ‘Let’s collaborate, let’s amalgamate.’ They can make a difference without having to start a charity. There are too many splinter groups and its just not working. The government will give to some organisations. I personally have never received any funding from the government for Breast Cancer Care WA after 17 years.  You don’t rely on the government, you rely and be in direct contact with the real people.”

You have been through so much but with your beautiful family around you and all your life lessons, what is life like now?

“For 40 odd years its all about the charities and my family. It’s time now at 66 to perhaps make some money. I’ve come from poverty and now I want to do that circle. I have richness in my heart but I don’t have it in the bank. That’s my focus, my vision and also my promise to myself.  I’ll never stop being passionate about some of the injustices of the world, particularly with empowering women and young children who are our future. Don’t get me started on f***ing ignorance!

I am just starting to do paid mentoring. I never had anyone to teach me maths or savings. The damage when I was a child was abandonment and of course my abusers. I had to please everyone all the time so I wouldn’t get taken away again. My childhood set a chain of events off. Who am I to say that it shouldn’t have happened? Because look at me now. I mightn’t have all the degrees. I certainly have all the letters before and after my name, which don’t mean anything; but they do to some people. 

I have 5 grandchildren. I’ve lived my childhood through them. It’s all about humanity to me. It’s never been about politics and money. It’s all about kindness. It’s very simple. I’m an ordinary person but I’ve done some extraordinary things. It doesn’t give me a big head. I just think, what do I do next to help people?”

With that said, Ros is available for public speaking, for her Primary School Philanthropy and Mental Health Program and for mentoring.

What a woman! Imagine if everyone had a little bit of the Ros Worthington spirit. Kindness, perseverance and selflessness would prevail.

Lots of love,

Magda xx