Bundaberg and Rural areas of the North Burnett now have improved access to a dedicated McGrath Breast Care Nurse to support local families experiencing breast cancer, thanks to funding supplied by the McGrath Foundation.
Newly appointed McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Nancy Scott will provide physical, psychological and emotional support for families experiencing breast cancer, from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment at Bundaberg Hospital and surrounding Rural Health Facilities.
Nancy Scott is an experienced nurse with a broad range of nursing skills and has recently been working as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in Mt Isa since 2009. After completing her Breast Cancer Entity course at LaTrobe University and setting up the inaugural specialist breast care nurse position in Lismore, Nancy received the highly commended ‘Public Advocacy’ award from Cancer Council NSW in 2002 in recognition of her involvement in the promotion of breast cancer trials in rural Australia.
Nancy believes that through her new position as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse she can contribute positively to her local community, providing support to women experiencing breast cancer, and their families.
‘I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to follow my passion of breast care nursing by becoming a McGrath Breast Care Nurse. I am ecstatic that women in Gayndah, Mundubbera, Eidsvold, Biggenden, Monto, Childers, Gin Gin and Mt Perry will now have access to their very own McGrath Breast Care Nurse.,’ Nancy said.
Co-founded by Jane and Glenn McGrath after Jane’s initial recovery from breast cancer, the McGrath Foundation aims to raise much-needed funds to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia, whilst increasing breast awareness in younger women.
McGrath Foundation Ambassador and Director, Tracy Bevan, is thrilled about the placement of the latest McGrath Breast Care Nurse the North Burnett region.
‘Coupled with their professional knowledge, McGrath Breast Care Nurses offer a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on and the opportunity for patients to share their frustrations and emotions with someone outside their immediate family.
‘When Jane passed away in June 2008, we had just four McGrath Breast Care Nurses. Today, thanks both to funding from the Australian Government and the extraordinary ongoing support of people right across Australia, our 71 McGrath Breast Care Nurses have helped support over 10,000 Australian families,’ said Tracy.
Bundaberg and Rural Health Services Director of Community Health Kylie Slack said she is proud to have a McGrath Breast Care Nurse working in the North Burnett.
‘Rural women and their families will benefit greatly from Nancy’s extensive knowledge and skills. She is an excellent addition to our healthcare team who are involved in caring for women experiencing breast cancer and their families,’ Kylie said.
The McGrath Foundation has helped support over 10,000 Australian families experiencing breast cancer, with 71 McGrath Breast Care Nurses working in communities right across Australia. There are McGrath Breast Care Nurses located in areas as far reaching as Hervey Bay (QLD), Geraldton (WA), Armidale (NSW), Warrnambool (VIC) and Port Lincoln (SA). It costs about $350,000 to place a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in the community for a three year period. To make a donation to the McGrath Foundation, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au.
