They may have first worked together over 20 years ago, but that hasn't stopped BFFs Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio coming together to help save the life of a 28-year-old mother currently battling cancer.
During an interview on This Morning yesterday, Winslet spoke via telephone with cancer patient Gemma Nuttall who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her early 20s while pregnant.
Refused potentially life-saving treatment because she would have been forced to terminate her pregnancy, Nuttall underwent months of chemotherapy only for the cancer to return in the form of brain cancer. She was then told she had six months to live following the birth of her daughter.
On the show, Winslet spoke of Nuttall - whose daughter is now three-years-old - and how their fates collided.
She revealed: 'I lost my own mother last year in May to ovarian cancer and we as a family were given a very poor prognosis for my mum, after a four-year battle, a really unbelievable fight, we decided to look elsewhere and we also stumbled across those places in Germany.
'Simultaneously I came across a petition on change.org.uk, which was Gemma, or someone on behalf of Gemma, campaigning to have immunotherapy made available on the NHS and my heart sunk as at that point I thought. This poor young woman is probably years away from her being able to access that kind of treatment on the national health service.'
As a result, the Oscar-Winner explained she contacted Nuttall's mother, Helen, to start raising funds so her daughter could start a six-session course of immunotherapy, a treatment that can cost up to $98,000 (£70,000) per visit.
'We got close to £200,000 and I thought, "Right it's time to call my friend Leo",' the actress said.
And yes, she's referring to her Titanic co-star, BFF and fellow Academy Award-winner Leonardo DiCaprio.
'I phoned Leo and I said, "Do you think we could do a charity dinner or something?" And he said, "Let's go one better. Come with me to St. Tropez, to my big fundraiser for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation … And we will auction off a dinner with Jack and Rose".'
Fast forward a few months and the pair auctioned off three dinners with 'Jack and Rose' (their characters from Titanic) last July and raised $1.35 million [£967,000] to be split between Nuttall and DiCaprio's foundation, which focuses on conservation.
However, despite their kind efforts, Winslet highlighted that Nuttall still needs more help.
'Gemma needs further urgent specialist cancer treatment in Germany. Without it, she will die,' Winlset said in a statement to Us Weekly earlier this week.
'I have been in communication with Gemma and her lovely mum, Helen, for a while now. And we are all so thrilled that we were able to send Gemma off to the Hallwang for her first round of treatment. I will continue to assist with her costs, but we do still badly need your donations,'
At the end of the interview, the Reader star implored viewers to help her raise funds for the brave mum.
'We might be able to save her life with these desperately needed funds for this essential treatment. So spread the word out there! Let's all tell as many people as we know, and please keep the words of support coming and the incredibly generous donations coming.
'Everyone deserves the best chance at life, let's all try to help Gemma and Penelope have theirs.'
We couldn't agree more, Kate.
Donate to Gemma Nuttall's cancer fund here.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
