Media Release:

44 Australian Communities to Get their McGrath Breast Care Nurse - Jane's Magic Continues

With 44 communities set to benefit from the addition of a Breast Care Nurse in their area, Glenn McGrath (husband to the late Jane McGrath and Australian cricket legend) is happy his wife's dream continues to inspire others to work together to provide greater support for women with breast cancer and their families.

Working in collaboration with the Australian Government, the McGrath Foundation (co-founded by Jane and Glenn in 2002) has recently announced that thanks to funding provided by the Australian Government, a further 44 communities across the country will now have access to a Breast Care Nurse. Breast Care Nurses are specially trained nurses who act as patient advocates, coordinating care for women with breast cancer, their families and carers.

"When Jane was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1997 she didn't actually have access to a Breast Care Nurse. The whole experience was very traumatic but somehow we made it through," said Glenn McGrath.

"When she was re-diagnosed in 2003 however she was fortunate enough to have access to a Breast Care Nurse for the first time and the difference it made to our lives was significant. It was then that Jane's dream of ensuring every woman diagnosed with breast cancer would have access to a Breast Care Nurse was conceived.

"This marks a very important milestone for us in realising Jane's dream and, while we still have some way to go, I know Jane was incredibly proud of this initiative and grateful to the Australian Government for their support."

Speaking about her role as the McGrath Breast Care Nurse based in Bega, NSW, Jenny Garner said she finds every day both challenging and extremely satisfying.

"You can't help but feel very privileged to be invited into your patients' lives at a time when most of them are still coming to terms with a condition that can be both shocking and frightening," said Jenny.

"Over the course of their journey you come to know these women, their partners, their children and their wider family and friends very well and you see such extraordinary acts of courage and compassion as they often try to shield those close to them from their fears.

"A big part of our role as McGrath Breast Care Nurses is to be a person with whom these women can just be themselves - at their most vulnerable. We answer the questions they may be afraid to ask anyone else. We try to help them make sense of the things that are confusing, and ultimately we try to be there no matter the time or place.

"I feel very grateful to have the opportunity to be a McGrath Breast Care Nurse and to have had the inspiration that was Jane McGrath herself."

There are already eight McGrath Breast Care Nurses spread across a number of communities in Australia. They include Bundaberg (in Queensland), Albury Wadonga (on the border of NSW and Victoria), Bega (in NSW), Perth (in WA) and Whyalla (in South Australia). These nurses will be joined by those to be recruited under the Australian Government Funded initiative, as well as another recruitment drive, which will mean a swelling of ranks of McGrath Breast Care Nurses to over 50 within the next 12 months.

"We still have a lot of important work to do in terms of increasing the numbers of Breast Care Nurses across Australia, as well as educating younger women to be breast aware, but Jane's passion to see these things done, and the Australian Government's support of her in doing this, has meant we are well and truly on our way and, of that, I couldn't be more proud," said Glenn.

People wanting to show their support for the McGrath Foundation can make a donation via the website at www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au or via:
Bank: National Australia Bank
Account Name: McGrath Foundation Ltd
Account Number: 589271582
BSB: 082-067

Read our Fact Sheet.

Mum Zone Release Date: 21st October 2008

Back to Media Releases