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- Story Of Jane Mcgrath
The story of Jane McGrath
Jane McGrath is the late wife of Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath. It was Jane’s vision that created the McGrath Foundation in 2005.
How Jane's vision changed cancer care forever
Jane’s public experience with breast cancer and the impact of her own breast care nurse set our first mission for the Foundation: to ensure that every family experiencing breast cancer would have access to a breast care nurse, no matter where they lived – for free. This meant placing 250 McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia.
Jane passed away in 2008, having secured funding for 50 McGrath Breast Cancer Nurses and with the Foundation set to carry on her mission.
Since then, thanks to the support of the Australian public we’ve turned stadiums, sporting clubs and businesses pink to raise money, and met our first mission.
Now, as we take on a new purpose, even more families will benefit from Jane’s vision. Because no one should go through cancer, any cancer, without care.
Each January, we celebrate Jane’s memory and her legacy at the Sydney Pink Test.
Jane's story
"I was just 31 when first diagnosed with breast cancer.
Glenn and I were inspired to create the McGrath Foundation after my initial recovery, to help support other Australian women touched by breast cancer.
It wasn’t until I was rediagnosed, that I was fortunate enough to have access to a breast care nurse for the first time.
It was like having someone hold my hand through one of the worst nightmares of my life.
My breast care nurse allowed me to be Jane McGrath – the friend, the mother and the wife – not just the breast cancer patient. She was someone who could provide both Glenn and I with informed, sensible answers to the many questions we had during the often complicated and confusing treatment process."
A best friend's promise
As our Ambassador and Director, Tracy Bevan says, her most important title is “Jane’s best friend”.
Tracy was one of the first people Jane asked to help create the McGrath Foundation, and Tracy now dedicates herself to working with the Foundation and thanking our supporters across the country.
“I made a promise to my best friend Jane before she passed that I would continue what we started at the McGrath Foundation. Jane would be incredibly proud of everything we are achieving because of the amazing support we receive every day.”
Show your support
It’s thanks to your generosity that Jane’s legacy has made a difference to over 150,000 families.