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Johnny Ruffo's first appearance since brain-cancer diagnosis

Johnny Ruffo has stepped out onto the red carpet for a charity gala in Sydney – his first appearance since publicly revealing a devastating brain-cancer diagnosis in August.

The Home & Away star looked suave in a classic tuxedo as he and dancer girlfriend Tahnee Sims walked the red carpet at the Save Our Sons gala, raising money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Johnny Ruffo and Tahnee Sims at the Save Our Sons charity gala in Sydney. Source: Getty
Johnny Ruffo and Tahnee Sims at the Save Our Sons charity gala in Sydney. Source: Getty

Johnny even had the energy to do a couple of cute poses.

Johnny even had the energy to do some cute poses. Source: Getty
Johnny even had the energy to do some cute poses. Source: Getty
Johnny channelled his inner James Bond. Source: Getty
Johnny channelled his inner James Bond. Source: Getty

Earlier this month, the 29-year-old opened up about his brain-cancer battle.



After suffering crippling headaches for years, Johnny said, “I went to the doctor who gave some medication which didn’t do anything".

Johnny's head, after his surgery to remove the brain tumour. Source: Instagram/Johnny Ruffo
Johnny's head, after his surgery to remove the brain tumour. Source: Instagram/Johnny Ruffo

Johnny told Nova hosts Fitza and Wippa that one day he found himself lying on the couch and that, "It felt like there was a fire inside.

“I tried to talk to the missus and I slurred all my words and mixed them all up.”

It was at that point that Tahnee decided it was time to go to the emergency room.

Tahnee has been by Johnny's side throughout his ordeal. Source: Instagram/tahneesims
Tahnee has been by Johnny's side throughout his ordeal. Source: Instagram/tahneesims

“It was unbelievable, like the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt," Johnny said.

"I can’t even describe it. They put me on some medication and you know, I sat up and I vomited. It just wasn’t great.”

Johnny in his hospital bed after surgery. Source: Instagram/Johnny Ruffo
Johnny in his hospital bed after surgery. Source: Instagram/Johnny Ruffo

The Home and Away star began to fall into a coma overnight, with hospital staff unable to wake him up. The next morning, Johnny said, Tahnee got a call from the emergency department telling her to be there as soon as possible as Johnny had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

"And she had to drive down there and they said, 'Look, we need to do an emergency operation.' Because by this stage, I had slipped into a coma," Johnny said.

"She had to sign a form to give permission."

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