Delta Goodrem talks of having cancer as a teen

Courtesy of SplashNews.com

Delta Goodrem, 24, performed at a medal ceremony honouring courage in Australia, presenting the Child of Courage Award to Molly Wood. Goodrem was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease when she was 18, just as her career was taking flight.

"I know that at 18, I thought, 'Does anyone else who's 18 have this? What's going on?'" "You talk to people [who have been through it] and you can relate on another level than anyone else." The medal ceremony is held under the banner of Pride of Australia. Goodrem paid tribute to the finalists and said their stories would prove inspirational as she writes songs for her next album. Goodrem said she drew strength from knowing her songs gave fans the courage to face their own crises. "Those lyrics may seem like simple words, but they have so much gravity when related to the daily life of everyone here," she said. "When I hear all these stories, it can't help but affect me and that comes out in my music." Model and TV host Sarah Murdoch, who is active in the breast cancer fight, said yesterday she was honoured to be on the judging panel. "Each year, I am brought to tears by the simple fact that these Australians do what they do for no reward," Murdoch, who is married to Rupert Murdoch's son Lachlan, said.

Provided by: Philippa Bourke / Splash News