On April 7, a group of celebrities and high-profile sports people will join Ms Olivia Newton-John on a 21 day trek that’s being touted as the biggest global fundraiser for cancer ever held.

The Great Walk to Beijing, as the event is known, will be covered by media from around the world, and will feature the likes of Joan Rivers, Sir Cliff Richard, Dannii Minogue, Kieran Perkins and Adam Sutton.

Joining them is Melbournian, Ms Michaela Green, the only openly lesbian participant on the walk, who says she is doing it for our community.

“You know, cancer does not discriminate,” Green told MCV, “and the gay community is as much touched by cancer as is the broader community.”

The Great Walk to Beijing will raise money for Australia’s first Wellness Centre, to be based in Melbourne at the Austin Hospital. The centre will provide complementary therapies to support patients during their cancer treatment; a holistic approach to fighting the illness which Newton-John herself employed during her battle against breast cancer.

Green said that it was “coincidental” that she became involved in the project.

“I had done a lot of other charity work, and someone got hold of my number and it went from there. I have to say it feels surreal to be surrounded by all these celebrities when I’m like the no-name brand contingent to it, but I think it will be fun. I can’t really imagine what it’s going to be like walking along the Great Wall with Joan Rivers for example. I keep thinking god help me if I can’t walk faster than Joan Rivers.”

Studies have indicated that as well as smoking at higher rates than straight women, lesbians may also have a higher risk of contracting breast cancer; the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among Australian women.

“There are studies that suggest lesbians may be at more risk, so this is something that is being looked at in the lesbian community; but also I think that all walks of life, including the queer community should be represented in the fight against cancer,” Green emphasised.

The idea behind the Walk to raise money for the Wellness Centre is that people sponsor their favourite walker at dollar per step.

As Green might walk one million steps, it’s a sponsorship rate that might be out of reach for most of her friends; so instead, she’s presenting a fundraiser, ‘Over the Wall’, later this month.

“Gillian Bartlett from JOY is emceeing, we have Cath Jamison, Bluehouse, Matt Thomas (formally of the Mavis’), Cara Tyler, and many more; and also a celebrity auction that includes tennis racquets signed by Martina Navratilova, a Robert Dobell painting valued at $20,000, a Kylie Minogue dress and of course heaps of stuff donated by Olivia,” Green concluded.

The ‘Over the Wall’ fundraiser takes place this Saturday March 29 at The Bendigo Hotel, Johnston St, Collingwood. Doors open 7pm, performances from 8pm. Entry: $20.

www.greatwalktobeijing.com