The McGrath Foundation has smashed its fundraising target of $390,000 set during the 2017 Pink Test, which will fund a McGrath Breast Care Nurse for three years. Fundraising at lunchtime on day 5 totalled $455,084, but the Foundation encouraged people to dig deep, to help make life that little bit easier for families experiencing breast cancer.
Today is the final day of the Pink Test, with Cricket Australia announcing that fans can gain access to Day 5 of the Commonwealth Bank Pink Test at the SGC for a gold coin donation, with all proceeds to the McGrath Foundation.
“We thank all Australians who have donated during the Pink Test. I am immensely grateful – we just could not do what we do without the support of people across this great country. It costs more than $12 million each year to fund our 117 nurses and we urge you to continue to dig deep and donate both on the ground and at www.pinktest.com.au to ensure that every family experiencing breast cancer has the support of a breast care nurse. No matter where they live – for free,” said Glenn McGrath, President and Co-Founder of the McGrath Foundation.
More than 50,000 people experiencing breast cancer in Australia and their families have now been supported by McGrath Breast Care Nurses, but demand continues to outstrip supply.
With five-year survival rates for people with breast cancer now at 90 per cent,1 and the number of people living with a previous breast cancer diagnosis growing from 159,235 in 2008 to a projected 209,200 in 2017,1 Australia has a critical gap in breast care nursing services which is set to widen by 38 per cent in the next five years.2
“The long-term relationship with Cricket Australia continues to grow throughout the Pink Testm and we look forward to 2018 which will mark the 10th anniversary of this important fundraising event for the McGrath Foundation,” McGrath said.
References
1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2012). Breast Cancer in Australia – an overview.
2. Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association (2015). Keeping abreast of future need: a report into the growing demand for breast care nurses. Available at https://mcgrathfoundation.com.au/FutureNeeds.aspx
