Australian sweetheart Johnny Ruffo has celebrated his 35th birthday amidst his brutal battle with cancer, with the star revealing he feels “grateful” to have made it another year.
Taking to Instagram, the Home and Away star shared an image of him celebrating with some delicious dessert, thanking everyone for the well wishes.
“35 and sure feeling it!!!,” he captioned the photo.
“Grateful for another lap around the sun, Thanks to everyone for all of the birthday wishes.”
Ruffo’s post was quickly flooded with messages from friends and fans sending their best to the entertainer.
“Happiest of birthdays darling. Hope you’re getting spoiled rotten,” said fellow Home and Away star, Lynne McGranger.
Another Home and Away star, Ada Nicodemou, and Morning Show co-host, Kylie Gillies, both delivered their birthday wishes: “Happy birthday Johnny.”
“Happy birthday buddy!! Love ya mate hope you had a ripper day champion,” said X-Factor runner-up, Jason Owen.
“Happy Birthday Johnny! ???? May you enjoy many more laps around the sun!,” commented a fan.
“Happy Birthday to my favourite fighter hope you had an amazing day love ya Ruffy,” said another.
“Back in my favourite chair …” he captioned his post, which was accompanied by a photo of himself giving the camera a thumbs up while he sat on his chemotherapy chair.
Ruffo also added the hashtags “I hate this chair” and “Fuck cancer” in his post.
Prior to his most recent health update, Ruffo made an appearance on the Kicpod podcast where he shared his philosophy on how to make the most out of life, telling the show’s hosts that the key to life was to not “sweat the small things”.
“Cherish life,” he said.
“Don’t sweat the small things and make sure the last conversation you have with people that you love is a good one.”
Despite his beautiful outlook on life and the unwavering support from his fans and family, Ruffo has previously admitted that he fears the thought of dying before his loved ones have the chance to “say goodbye”.
“I’m scared for my brother, my mum, dad and Tahnee that they won’t be here with me [when I die],” Ruffo admitted to The Daily Telegraph.
“There is no way my family will all be here. The likelihood of that is (slim). It would be ideal if everyone was there – not for my sake, but theirs.”
However, Ruffo said he hadn’t given up hope and reassured everyone that he was “powering through” his battle.
“At some point, it will get me but I’m still fighting. Still kicking on…I’m already winning. My goal now is to try and help as many people as I can and also live a happy life,” he said.