The Sunshine Coast 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.
The newly appointed McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Cathy Apelt, will share her time between the Sunshine Coast Haematology & Oncology Clinic and Nambour Hospital. Cathy will provide physical, psychological and emotional support for families experiencing breast cancer, from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment.
Cathy is an experienced nurse with a broad range of nursing skills. For 23 years, Cathy worked as a Cancer Support Coordinator for Cancer Council Queensland, 15 of those years based in the Sunshine Coast. Cathy held an informative, supportive and educational role to families experiencing cancer in regional and rural settings.
Cathy 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’m very excited to be a McGrath Breast Care Nurse as after working for 15 years in the Sunshine Coast, I truly believe that all Australian women experiencing breast cancer, and her families, should have access to the support of a breast care nurse no matter where they live,’ said Cathy.
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 the Sunshine Coast.
‘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.
Sunshine Coast Health Service District Nursing Director of Surgical Services, Mark Adcock, is proud to have a McGrath Breast Care Nurse working in the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas.
‘I am confident our community will benefit greatly from Cathy’s extensive knowledge and skills. She is an excellent resource to the staff involved in caring for women experiencing breast cancer and their families,’ Mark 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.
