Friends of the McGrath Foundation

Johanna Griggs, Olympian and TV personality

I feel very honoured to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation, as I, like so many others have had my life affected by cancer. I’ve lost people near and dear to me, and watched others battle with incredible tenacity in their fight against cancer.

The McGrath Foundation offers a very real, very tangible result to the generous outpouring and compassion showed by their many supporters, with funds raised going to McGrath Breast Care Nurses.

The staff involved with McGrath Foundation are there for the right reasons and are achieving lots of great things. For me, it’s great to be part of something, even in a small way, where everyone’s passion and commitment is genuine.

Karl Stefanovic, Today Show host

I feel humbled to have been asked to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation. Until we find a cure for this disease, early detection is the key. Let’s keep focused on raising awareness and funds to support those who are fighting for their lives.

 

 

Sonia Kruger, TV personality

I met Jane McGrath at a fundraising lunch she was having in Sydney. She inspired me with her positive attitude and happiness in the face of the illness which eventually took her life.

She inspired a lot of women and anything I can do to help with the cause she worked so hard on is an honour.

 

Lee Furlong, Fox Sports reporter

Jane was a wonderful and strong woman who inspired so many people and I believe her legacy will live on forever.

The McGrath Foundation is such an important organisation as it reaches out to so many people in need and gives women hope and strength. I am thrilled to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation and will continue to help spread Jane's message.

 

Bessie Bardot, author and TV personality

I've never seen a woman work so hard to make a difference; Jane was absolutely tireless in her quest. After several of my friends being touched by breast cancer, it's an honour to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation.

 

 

 

Michael Bevan, cricketer and husband of Tracy Bevan

After spending a good deal of my career playing with Glenn, having the opportunity to be close friends with both Glenn and Jane and recognising the strong friendship between Tracy and Jane, it is an absolute pleasure and honour to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation.

Knowing the importance and significance for not only Jane but also the wider public in raising the awareness for young women about breast cancer, and helping to provide support in the form of McGrath Breast Care Nurses to breast cancer patients provides me with reason enough to help the McGrath Foundation in its efforts.

Matthew and Kellie Hayden, Former Australian cricketer and his wife

Jane, Glenn, James and Holly are, and will always be, a huge part of our life. Around cricket and away from cricket we have shared amazing times together.

The McGrath Foundation, in spite of the personal hardships this lion-hearted family has had to endure, has remained a beacon of hope and a deep source of comfort to thousands of women across Australia and the world. We are proud to be a small part of its wonderful work so that it may continue.

Adam Gilchrist, Former Australian cricketer

The help, support and love each breast care nurse provides their patients with is priceless. There truly is no monetary value that can be placed on what Jane and Glenn have established in the form of this amazing Foundation.

To use the experience of personal adversity in such a positive manner, to benefit others, is a mark of the highest quality of person. That is Jane and Glenn McGrath.

To all who have supported the program, we thank you, as do every breast cancer patient and their family. And of course all the staff at the Foundation continue to carry out the dreams of an amazing, thoughtful, fun, loving lady we are all blessed for having known. You guys too, are Angels.

I am thrilled to be a Friend of the Foundation.

Jason Gillespie, Former Australian cricketer

It is an absolute honour to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation. The caring work done by the McGrath Breast Care Nurses to support women with breast cancer is selfless and inspiring and anything that can be done to create more opportunities for them to support the women they help is well worth it.

Our family and close friends have felt the effects of breast cancer so I had no hesitation in becoming an ambassador. The assistance the Foundation has received over the last few years is nothing short of amazing and everyone at the McGrath Foundation is so grateful for that support.

I have been fortunate to know the McGraths for many years and to be involved in any way with the Foundation is very humbling.

Shane Watson, Australian cricketer

I am just so grateful and honoured to be able to continue on the legacy of Jane McGrath as an official Friend of the McGrath Foundation. I was extremely privileged to get to know Jane through her soul mate, Glenn.

During Glenn's last international tour for Australia in 2007, I spent a lot of time with Glenn talking about all things in life and there were a couple of things that really stood out in my mind during the time we spent together.

The first one was how unbelievably positive Glenn was with all aspects of life, as he always saw the positive side to every situation. The second was the amazing strength that Jane had to continue her ongoing battle with cancer.

Glenn told me about the difficulties that both he and Jane had trying to deal with everything that went with fighting the horrific disease and how Jane's breast care nurse made such an amazing difference to both of their lives.

So this was both Jane and Glenn's dream, to provide a breast care nurse for every woman fighting breast cancer in Australia, to make the burden of fighting breast cancer that little bit easier.

My role as an official Friend of the McGrath Foundation is to continue to help to turn Jane and Glenn's dream into reality.

Lisa Sthalekar, Australian Women’s cricketer and NSW Captain

There seemed to be a connection with the McGrath Foundation and myself, as my mother passed away from breast cancer seven years ago.

At the time, I had taken a year off from University to take mum to the hospital for her daily radiation, chemotherapy and endless appointments. It was during this time that the breast care nurses became part of our family and I enjoyed seeing and catching up with them. Even after my mother passed away I still use to visit them on a regular basis. Everyone that is affected by breast cancer need the help and support and the breast care nurses provide that.

Therefore, when Tracy spoke to me about being a Friend of the McGrath Foundation, I had no hesitation and the fact that my mother was English as well, signed the deal. I am looking forward to working closely with the McGrath Foundation and making a difference.

Catherine Cox, Captain of the NSW Swifts Netball Team

Unfortunately, everyone seems to know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Directly or indirectly, I think it is a disease that has touched all Australians.

Very recently, I personally lost one of the most influential women in my netball career, not to mention a great friend, to breast cancer and it just makes you realise how prevalent it really is.

Jodie Blewett, Adelaide radio host

In life, you meet certain people who just make you smile. Jane McGrath was one of those beautiful people, elegant, hilarious and when she laughed it was infectious. Her smile is unforgettable. Breast cancer robbed us all of an incredible woman, graceful mother, and lovable friend.

It's an absolute honour and privilege to represent the McGrath Foundation here in South Australia. Luckily I work in a medium that can reach out to hundreds of thousands every day, and I unashamedly intend to use my voice to continue Jane's legacy.

I hope together we can make the journey a little easier for the women in our state suffering from the disease that we all despise so greatly.

David Williams, Manly Sea Eagles NRL player

While I am extremely fortunate that I have not lost a close friend or family member to breast cancer, Jane's story has opened my eyes to the reality that breast cancer can affect women of any age. I am honoured to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation and I wholly support their fundraising and awareness initiatives throughout Australia.

 

 

Andrew Reid, Bondi Rescue lifeguard

Unfortunately I never got to meet the beautiful Jane McGrath. Following her fight in the media made me realise just how much breast cancer effects not only the people diagnosed with the disease but also everyone around them. Starting the McGrath Foundation to give special support where it's needed most was a fantastic idea and I can't imagine how many people they have already helped since it was founded.

As a Friend of the McGrath Foundation I hope I can help in whatever way possible and together as a community can eventually find a cure for this terrible disease.

Corey Oliver, Bondi Rescue lifeguard

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to meet the strong and amazing Jane McGrath, but I have been a part of a close friend's battle with breast cancer. I have seen how hard it is for the person and how much it affects the family and friends as a whole.

While I was training for the Sydney Marathon to help raise money for the McGrath Foundation, a very worthy cause, I was approached to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation. I was honoured and had no hesitation in wanting to be an ambassador to help out in any way possible.

The McGrath Foundation is a fantastic cause and are tirelessly committed to helping so many women in need. Together, as a great nation, I know we can make a difference in helping so many more needy women battling with this terrible disease.

Justin Langer, Former Australian cricketer

Jane and Glenn have been close personal friends of mine and my wife Sue since my cricketing days.  When Jane passed away, it was such a sad time as she meant so much not to Sue and I, but to Australia.

To see the Foundation growing in the way that it has in the past year really astounds me, and I’m thrilled to do my part to support the Foundation by becoming a Friend of the McGrath Foundation.

I am proud to be a part of a movement that is really spreading Jane and Glenn’s message and hopefully helping many other women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families.

Shannan Ponton, Biggest Loser Fitness Trainer

From my first contact with the McGrath Foundation and Tracy Bevan, I felt a sense of duty to repay in any way that I could, the debt that I owe to all the amazing women, who have shown me kindness, caring and love in my life.

It is the indiscriminate nature of cancer that I find horrific, the disease doesn't give a damn if you are fit, overweight, tall, short, healthy or just average.

As nature would have it, women are the nurturers and an all too common trait is to do everything for everyone else, genuinely, without question or need for accolades.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer changes the rules, suddenly our carers need care, the best available, nothing less.

A breast care nurse for every woman diagnosed with breast cancer should not be an option but an absolute. Our mothers, sisters, wives, friends and nannas have earned this right a hundred times over.

I was honoured to be asked to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation to allow Jane’s dream to become a reality and feel proud to, in some way, to help assist all Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families, so they can receive the level of care and support they deserve.

Damien Fleming, Former Australian cricketer

It is a great honour to become a Friend of the McGrath foundation.  Anything that can be done to help support women and families dealing with the effects of breast cancer is essential. The efforts of the McGrath Foundation to date have been nothing short of extraordinary. Thanks to those assisting the Foundation, the bar has been set high but with a combined effort, let’s keep raising it.

Jane was an inspiration to all of us in the Aussie Cricket Team, mostly for putting up with Glenn! She had so much personality, love and courage. And through her legacy we will strive to employ more McGrath Breast Care Nurses around Australia to help deal with this dreadful disease. Hardly any family in Australia is untouched by breast cancer so all assistance is vital.

Julie Goodwin, Masterchef Winner

I am honoured and humbled to be asked to be a Friend of the McGrath Foundation. The loving care that is given to women experiencing breast cancer is an inspiration. We all know someone whose life is impacted by this disease and it is wonderful to know that there are people working hard to make sure that they are supported.

Melinda Schneider, singer and songwriter

When I was approached in late 2008 to become a Friend of the McGrath Foundation, I was honoured. I never had the pleasure of meeting Jane personally, but along with every other Australian, I was touched deeply by her strong, joyous spirit and courage.

I am committed to supporting Glenn and the McGrath Foundation in any way that I can in helping to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer in Australia.