October is breast cancer awareness month and along with local businesses doing their part by putting up pink in storefronts, it is important to share awareness through storytelling.
A bit more about the McGrath Foundation and why they began.
It started with care 20 years ago.
A one-of-a-kind relationship changed cancer care in Australia forever.
Jane McGrath, wife of Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath, was supported by a breast care nurse as she went through treatment.
“My breast cancer nurse allowed me to be Jane McGrath – the friend, the mother and the wife – not just the breast cancer patient,” Jane said in a past interview.
It sparked an idea. A vision.
Jane and Glenn set out to make sure every family experiencing breast cancer had the support of a breast care nurse.
No matter where they live, for free. And so, the McGrath Foundation came to be. Jane sadly died in 2008.
From the iconic ‘Pink Test’ beginning in 2009, with Cricket Australia, Sydney Cricket Ground and the McGrath Foundation working together, to make it one of the biggest charitable sporting events in the world.
The ‘Pink Up Your Town’ fundraiser which allows local communities to get involved by decorating the town in pink.
Whatever it may be, support the foundation where you can.
Currently, the McGrath Foundation are celebrating their 20th anniversary of giving care to those in need.
Partnering with this are their 20 stories of care, which you can find on their website.
Each story is a personal, vulnerable and special snapshot from the experiences of people who have shaped the journey of the McGrath Foundation.
This year, the foundation are asking Australia to help fund 20 McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, so no one goes through cancer without care.
Narrabri local Karen Kirkby had the honour to attend a celebration for the McGrath foundation anniversary, which took place recently at Government House in Sydney.
As well as being an event celebrating 20 years of fundraising, it was also a moment to recognise and thank people like Karen because through their involvement in the McGrath foundation, they
were able to help reach 250 specialist nurses by 2025.
Some locals would know Karen from her establishment and tremendous efforts in the Pink Up Namoi fundraiser here in town, which was the largest local Pink Up for the McGrath foundation.
“I was proud to represent every person, business, school, club, workplace and industry that supported Pink Up Namoi since it began in 2021,” Karen said.
“The event was amazing; Her Excellency the Governor gave a great speech reflecting on the importance of volunteers and the work not-for-profit organisations do for the community.
“Some highlights included meeting the Governor, catching up with Tracy Bevan and Glenn McGrath, as well as spending time with people from all over the country, who felt the need to Pink Up their town and raise awareness.
Through Karen’s efforts and the support from the town of Narrabri, the total money raised for the Pink Up Namoi over the four years was an incredible $185,095.
“I have stepped back from fundraising these days, but I will always advocate for the McGrath Foundation and try to raise awareness of breast cancer in both men and women whenever I can.
“My involvement with the McGrath Foundation began when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2020.
“My McGrath nurses were instrumental in making my treatment decisions and recovery so much easier.
“They were a tremendous support for my husband and son as well, helping them understand what I was going through.
“The doctors and surgeons saved my life; the McGrath nurses saved my sanity.
Karen has also established Namoi Dragons Dragon Boat Club in Narrabri, which she highly recommends for those currently going through or have had breast cancer.
“My first breast cancer nurse made me aware of how good dragon boating was for anyone recovering from or had breast cancer.
“That inspired me to start Namoi Dragons Dragon Boat Club here in Narrabri.
“If anyone is interested in joining, feel free to get in contact with me and I am also happy to talk to anyone in our region about treatment, recovery and side effects.
“The McGrath foundation nurses are now supporting all cancer, which is why it is so important to support and donate. I would like to thank the businesses in Narrabri which have ‘pinked up’ their shopfront this October.
“Hopefully it will spark a very important conversation; Remember to check your girls, girls.”
