Orange now has 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, Sue Kuter, is based at the Central West Cancer Service in Orange. She will provide physical, psychological and emotional support for families in the Orange and Cabonne areas who are experiencing breast cancer, from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment.

Sue is an experienced nurse with a broad range of nursing skills. With nearly 30 years experience working as a registered nurse in a variety of nursing fields, Sue has spent the last six years as a clinical nurse specialist in the Oncology Unit in Orange, delivering chemotherapy treatments as well as providing information and education to patients and their families. Breast care nursing has become a special interest for Sue, who completed a Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer in 2006 and is undertaking a Masters Degree in clinical sciences specialising in breast cancer.

While working in medical oncology, Sue has found opportunities to promote breast awareness and assist breast cancer patients. In 2010, she was awarded a Rotary community service award for her work caring for patients in her oncology role. Sue is very passionate about education and ensuring the information provided is adequate, appropriate and understood, and using her skills to provide information about breast awareness and breast cancer to community groups and hospital staff.

Sue believes that through her new position as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse she can contribute positively to her local community, providing support to families experiencing breast cancer.

‘I am very excited to be a McGrath Breast Care Nurse and work with the McGrath Foundation team to ensure families experiencing breast cancer have all their needs met. I am committed and determined to doing a great job in providing holistic care along with best practice standards of care and promoting breast awareness in women of all age groups in the Orange and Cabonne regions,’ said Sue.

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 in Orange.

‘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 McGrath Breast Care Nurses have helped support over 10,000 Australian families,’ said Tracy.

Manager Area Cancer and Palliative Care Services, Western NSW Local Health District, Ruth Jones, has supported the placement of this McGrath Breast Care Nurse in Orange.

‘In developing the submission for a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, the level of support from the community was fantastic. The addition of Sue as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is a wonderful enhancement to Cancer Services, including radiotherapy, which are based in Orange. She will offer support for women with breast cancer in and around the Orange area.’

The McGrath Foundation has helped support over 10,000 Australian families experiencing breast cancer, with 64 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.