Connie Johnson ‘went out on top’, Samuel Johnson says

Samuel Johnson says his sister Connie “went out on top” following her public journey with breast cancer.

Speaking publicly for the first time since her death, Johnson, who had just attended her funeral in Canberra, said he is still learning a lot from Connie.

“She’s always been my mentor and I pride myself from learning from the smarter people around me,” he told The Project.

“Really it’s only in her absence her lessons have become more profound.

“I realise it’s not about raising money, it’s about solving this problem we call cancer.”

The pair started the project Love Your Sister, and together raised more than $6 million for cancer research.

Johnson said he's now becoming the "Head of Cancer Vanquishment" and is selling pairs of socks to raise funds of research.

"Connie doesn't have any use for your sentiment now," he wrote in a Facebook post last night.

"If she wanted anyone to take anything from her life, it was to highlight the importance of medical research. And we all need socks right?

"In the name of my dear gone sister, I'm asking. Please buy some socks and then maybe we can share the absolute bejesus out of this post and turbocharge our push for a cure, so families need not continue to endure the baseless trauma that cancer so cruelly provides."

Connie fought cancer three times but sadly succumbed to the disease earlier this month, leaving behind her two children and husband, as well her brother, hundreds of friends and an adoring Australian public.

The mother-of-two chose to live out her battle in public, raising not only funds but awareness about breast cancer.

When asked if she appreciated just what she did for everyone else, Johnson replied: “In the end, she did mate, loud and clear.”

The day before she passed away, Connie was awarded the Order of Australia – a moment Johnson said was amazing.

“We all know trophies and accolades aren’t what it’s about… but to have that recognition not just from citizens but from the Government of Australia, she was over the moon.”

The actor also added the family spent half an hour laughing following the private ceremony at Connie’s bedside at a Canberra hospice and then she “fell asleep and never woke up.”

“She went out on top, the toppest of the top,” Johnson said.