Australians with cancer will soon find it easier to get the nursing support they need.
The federal government has committed $2.3 million to the McGrath Foundation to expand a tool that connects patients with expert cancer care nurses.
Health Minister Mark Butler announced the funding on Sunday just a few hundred metres from the Sydney Cricket Ground, where sports fans transformed the stands into a sea of pink to raise money for the foundation at one of the nation’s most prominent cancer events.
“We are committed to doing all we can to support patients, families, loved ones and carers on the cancer journey,” he said.
Since 2009, the third day of Australian cricket’s January Sydney Test has paid tribute to Jane McGrath, the cancer support advocate who co-founded the breast cancer charity with her husband, cricket legend Glenn McGrath.
During her breast cancer journey, Mrs McGrath said having access to a breast care nurse was “like having someone hold my hand through one of the worst nightmares of my life”.
She was determined that every family would have access to the same breast care she received.
When she died in 2008 at the age of 42, leaving behind two children, she had secured funding for 50 breast cancer nurses, leaving the foundation on track to carry out her mission.
The McGrath Foundation recently expanded its scope to provide care for all cancer patients, after the federal government in 2023 provided millions to help the charity recruit 100 more specialised nurses.
The 2025 Sydney Test, also known as the Pink Test, is the first iteration of the annual event to support care for all cancers.
“The fact that now we can take our care to anyone with any type of cancer is something I find very special,” Mr McGrath told reporters on Sunday.
“To me, this is a test match of celebration – a celebration of life, but also of hope – that when things are tough, life can still be good and continue on.”
https://thewest.com.au/politics/celebrate-hope-mcgrath-foundation-gets-23m-boost-c-17289751
