McGrath Foundation

Last updated

McGrath Foundation
Formation2005
Founders Jane McGrath
Glenn McGrath
Headquarters North Sydney, New South Wales
Chairman
 John Conde
President
Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath
John Conde
Tracy Bevan
Terry Brown
Christine Holman
Glenys Beauchamp
Website www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au

The McGrath Foundation is a breast cancer support and education charity in Australia, which raises money to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia and increase breast health awareness. The charity was founded by Australian cricket player Glenn McGrath and his English-born wife, Jane McGrath, in 2005, following Jane's initial diagnosis and recovery from breast cancer. [1] Jane died on 22 June 2008 at the age of 42. [2]

Contents

History

The McGrath Foundation was created after Jane McGrath was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the mission of the foundation was based on her experiences with her nurses at that time.

Since 2005, the McGrath Foundation has placed 204 McGrath Breast Cancer Nurses in communities across Australia, and has supported over 127,000 families. [3] [4]

The majority of all McGrath Breast Care Nurses are in rural and regional areas. [5] People experiencing breast cancer can directly contact their nearest McGrath Breast Care Nurse, whose support is then provided completely free of charge. The McGrath Foundation needs to raise approximately $420,000 to place each McGrath Breast Care Nurse in the community for a three-year period. [6]

In 2008, the Australian Government pledged $12.6 million to the McGrath Foundation to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses in 44 communities through to June 2013. [7] This commitment was furthered in 2013 with the announcement of a $18.5 million grant to continue funding 44 existing McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities nationally as well as the placement of up to an additional 10 full-time equivalent McGrath Breast Care Nurse positions. [8] This was extended for a further four years, in November 2016, confirming the positions of 57 Government-funded McGrath Breast Care Nurses until 2021.[ citation needed ]

Breast Care Nurses and Qualifications

The first goal of the McGrath Foundation is to place specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses wherever they are needed in Australia.

McGrath Breast Care Nurses are highly qualified nurses specifically train to supported families experiencing breast cancer. The role of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is varied and broad. From the time of diagnosis through to referrals and follow up, McGrath Breast Care Nurses play an important role in the psychosocial, emotional and physical wellbeing of patients and their families. [9]

The first tertiary-based distance education program for breast care nurses was pioneered by La Trobe University in partnership with Cancer Council Victoria in 1997. [10]

McGrath Breast Care Nurses usually have a background in oncology, breast care or women's health and sometimes even psychology. They also require a postgraduate qualification [11] in breast care nursing or cancer nursing, which can be studied at the Australian College of Nursing [12] and La Trobe University. [13] The McGrath Foundation offers four annual scholarships through the Australian College of Nursing. [14]

Breast education

The second aim of the McGrath Foundation is to promote breast education among Australians. At only 31 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, Jane McGrath was passionate about empowering people to take control of their health by being breast aware. [15]

The McGrath Foundation's breast education programme was developed to ensure everyone in Australia is aware of the importance of breast health, are confident in detecting changes, are knowledgeable about the risk factors for breast cancer and are checking their breasts regularly.

According to the Foundation, the programme "aims to empower young women in particular to look after and know their bodies, and to take action that promotes their health and wellbeing". [16] It includes resources for schools, the workplace and the community with workbooks, presentations and videos available for free download from the McGrath Foundation website.

Partnerships

In 2008, the McGrath Foundation partnered with Community First Credit Union and developed the McGrath Pink Visa to raise money for McGrath Breast Care Nurses. The McGrath Foundation has a strong corporate partnership programme, and is aligned to several well-known brands that provide fundraising and awareness support. [17]

The McGrath Foundation has over 40 corporate partners including Cricket Australia. [18]

McGrath also reached out to former Ashes adversary Andrew Strauss, who played in a Pink Test himself while captaining England's successful 2010-11 Ashes campaign, after Strauss also found himself widowed by cancer. Andrew's wife Ruth, who he had met in Sydney, had passed away from a rare form of lung cancer on 29 December 2018 after Strauss had stepped down as England's director of cricket to look after her. Ahead of the 2019 edition of the Ashes in England, it was announced that Day 2 of the Lord's Test would benefit the Ruth Strauss Foundation in much the same way that Day 3 of the Sydney Test benefits the McGrath Foundation. [19]

Controversy

The McGrath Foundation used to have a relationship with the greyhound racing industry. After the allegations of live baiting were made in the media in 2015, the McGrath Foundation ceased the relationship. [20]

McGrath Foundation initiatives

The McGrath Foundation hosts a variety of events and community fundraising initiatives each year to support its vision.

Sydney Pink Test – Each January, the Sydney Cricket Ground turns into a sea of pink on day three of the Sydney Pink Test in honour of Jane McGrath. The Sydney Pink Test has become the iconic centrepiece of the Cricket Australia and McGrath Foundation partnership, through the community action program Cricket Cares. [21]

Pink Stumps Day – Pink Stumps Day allows people to bring the spirit of the Pink Test into their own community by providing clubs, businesses and schools the opportunity to show off their cricket skills and fundraise for the McGrath Foundation. [22]

McGrath Foundation High Tea – Jane McGrath and best friend Tracy Bevan, Ambassador and Director of the McGrath Foundation, hosted a high tea as one of the Foundation's first fundraising initiatives. The McGrath Foundation continues to host high teas in Sydney and Melbourne as a way to connect with supporters and raise funds. [23]

Ambassadors and supporters

Tracy Bevan was best friend to Jane McGrath and is the official ambassador, as well as a director, of the McGrath Foundation. The McGrath Foundation has had many Australian entertainers and sporting personalities supporting their cause as "Foundation Friends", [24] including:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenn McGrath</span> Australian cricketer

Glenn Donald McGrath is an Australian former international cricketer whose career spanned 14 years. He was a fast-medium pace bowler and is considered one of the greatest bowlers of all time, and a leading contributor to Australia's domination of world cricket from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s. McGrath was a member of the Australian team that won three consecutive World Cup trophies in a row, winning the 1999 Cricket World Cup, the 2003 Cricket World Cup, and the 2007 Cricket World Cup. In the 2003 final, he took the winning wicket of Zaheer Khan. McGrath was also a member of the team that won the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Hayden</span> Australian cricketer (born 1971)

Matthew Lawrence Hayden is an Australian cricket commentator and former cricketer. His career spanned fifteen years. Hayden was a powerful and aggressive left-handed opening batsman, who along with opening partners, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist contributed heavily to Australia's success during its "golden era" (2004-2011) in Test and ODI cricket respectively. He is widely considered to be one of the best openers in Test cricket and holds the record of highest individual score by an Australian batsman, where he scored 380 against Zimbabwe during Zimbabwe's 2003 tour of Australia. This stands as the 2nd highest individual score in test cricket and is the highest score by an opening batsman in tests. Hayden was a member of the Australian team that won both the 2003 Cricket World Cup, and the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Strauss</span> English cricketer

Sir Andrew John Strauss is an English cricket administrator and former player, formerly the Director of Cricket for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). He played county cricket for Middlesex, and captained the England national team in all formats of the game. A fluent left-handed opening batsman, Strauss favoured scoring off the back foot, mostly playing cut and pull shots. He was also known for his fielding strength at slip or in the covers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan G. Komen for the Cure</span> American non-profit organization

Susan G. Komen is a breast cancer organization in the United States.

St John of God Health Care is a Catholic provider of health care services in Australia, with 24 hospitals and facilities comprising more than 3,400 beds. The group operates in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand.

Basil Sellers AM,, grew up in the Railway Colonies in India, where he was introduced to badminton, tennis and cricket. He migrated with his family to Australia in 1948, and was educated at Kings College, Adelaide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irish Cancer Society</span> National charity in the Republic of Ireland

The Irish Cancer Society is the national charity in the Republic of Ireland dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem, and improving the lives of those who have cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Ohio Medical Center</span> Hospital in Ohio, United States of America

Southern Ohio Medical Center is a 216-bed 501(C)(3) not-for-profit hospital in Portsmouth, Ohio. It provides emergency and surgical care, as well as other health care services. SOMC employs 2,600 full-time employees and part-time employees, has a medical staff of more than 140 physicians and specialists, and is supported by approximately 800 volunteers. In 2020, Fortune magazine ranked Southern Ohio Medical Center at number 22 of their Fortune List of the Top 100 Companies to Work For based on an employee survey of satisfaction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jane McGrath</span> British-Australian cancer support campaigner (1966–2008)

Jane Louise McGrath was an English-born Australian cancer support campaigner, and the wife of former Australian cricket fast bowler Glenn McGrath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breast Cancer Network Australia</span> Australian non-profit organisation

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is a not-for-profit organisation that supports Australians affected by breast cancer. BCNA aims to ensure that Australians affected by breast cancer receive support, information, treatment and care appropriate to their needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nude calendar</span>

Nude calendars are a type of wall calendar that feature nude models in a variety of scenes and locations. Predominantly in the United Kingdom, nude calendars are produced to raise money for charity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyn Swinburne</span> Australian womens advocate

Lyn Mary Swinburne is an Australian women's advocate, inspirational speaker and founder of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

The PA Research Foundation (PARF) is an Australian Non for Profit Organization that raises funds for lifesaving research to develop better diagnoses and treatments for some of Australia’s biggest health challenges.

Mount Franklin is a brand of bottled spring water available in Australia. It is owned and manufactured by Coca-Cola Amatil.

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is a broad-based community organisation and the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia. The Foundation is dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families, recognising the diversity of the Australian community. Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia receives Government funding for specific projects and relies on the generosity of individuals, the community and partnerships to carry out its work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Lowe</span> Australian scientist (born 1962)

Anthony Peter Lowe AP is a British-Australian mathematical physicist and actuary. He previously served as chief executive officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, and is a frequent media commentator on prostate cancer and prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronnie Taylor</span> Australian politician

Bronwyn "Bronnie" Taylor, an Australian politician, was the New South Wales Minister for Women, the Minister for Regional Health, and the Minister for Mental Health in the Perrottet ministry, from December 2021 to March 2023. Taylor has served as the Deputy Leader of the National Party in New South Wales since October 2021. She has been a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council since 2015, representing The Nationals.

Project Pink Blue, registered as Health & Psychological Trust Centre is a cancer nonprofit engaged in raising cancer awareness, patient navigation, advocacy and free breast and cervical cancer screening for women living in poverty. The organization launched Nigeria's first patient navigation in 2015 and a toll- free telephone centre 08000CANCER in 2016 Project PINK BLUE won the SPARC Metastatic Breast Cancer challenge grant by Union for International Cancer Control and Pfizer Oncology in Lisbon, Portugal.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is a U.S. breast cancer organization that promotes breast cancer awareness and education, provides free screening services, and supports breast cancer patients and survivors.

Kylea Jane Tink is an Australian communications and campaigning expert, businesswoman and politician. She is a former managing director of Edelman Australia, chief executive of the McGrath Foundation and Chief Executive of Camp Quality. Tink was elected to the seat of North Sydney at the 2022 federal election. She has been described as a teal independent.

References

  1. ↑ "Glenn and Jane McGrath Transcript". Enough Rope (Interview). Interviewed by Andrew Denton. Sydney: ABC Television. 24 May 2004. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  2. ↑ Brown, Alex (22 June 2008). "Jane McGrath dies". The Sydney Morning Herald . Sydney. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  3. ↑ "About the McGrath Foundation". McGrath Foundation. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "Jane McGrath's last legacy 10 years on". SBS NEWS. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  5. ↑ Hutchens, Gareth (3 November 2016). "McGrath Foundation breast care nurses to get $20.5m in new funding". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "Sydney Test to go even pinker". Sydney: Cricket Australia. 10 November 2009. Archived from the original on 12 April 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  7. ↑ "McGrath Specialist Breast Care Nurses". Australian Government Department of Health Rural and Regional Health Australia. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  8. ↑ "The McGrath Foundation welcomes Federal Government commitment to continue to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses" (Press release). McGrath Foundation. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  9. ↑ "McGrath Foundation > Our Mission > Our Nurses > Frequently Asked Questions". www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  10. ↑ "Page Not Found - Cancer Council Victoria". www.cancervic.org.au.{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  11. ↑ "Become a McGrath Breast Care Nurse". www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  12. ↑ "Graduate Certificates".
  13. ↑ "Schools and Departments".
  14. ↑ "McGrath Foundation > Our Nurses > Training for Nurses". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  15. ↑ McGrath, Jane and Glenn. A Love For Life, Sydney, 2000.
  16. ↑ "Launch of World Leading Lurve Curve Program". McGrath Foundation. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  17. ↑ Our Corporate Partners, accessed 29.9.15,
  18. ↑ "Our Corporate Partners & Sponsors".
  19. ↑ Lord's to turn red during Ashes Test in support of Ruth Strauss Foundation by Matt Roller ESPN Cricinfo
  20. ↑ McGrath Foundation statement on Greyhound Racing, accessed 29.9.15,
  21. ↑ "Home". pinktest.com.au.
  22. ↑ "Home". pinkstumpsday.com.au.
  23. ↑ "McGrath Foundation > Events". Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  24. ↑ "What is the McGrath Foundation?".
  25. ↑ Barmy Army Pink Shirts supporting McGrath Foundation – 2017-18 Ashes 5th Test The Barmy Army on Twitter
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.