The 54 other women in Glenn's life - McGrath Breast Care Nurses gather in Sydney to reflect, share and learn
Tuesday, 23 March 2010 14:02Ohhhh ahhhhh…it’s hard to be Glenn McGrath, especially with 53 McGrath Breast Care Nurses coming to town to regroup and share key learnings from the last 12 months on Wednesday, 17 March. 53 of the 54 McGrath Breast Care Nurses have travelled from all over Australia, including locations as far away as Albany (WA) and Mt Isa (QLD) to Coogee in Sydney, but Glenn is not the main reason they will be making the journey.
While in Sydney, the McGrath Breast Care Nurses will also attend the 2010 12th National Breast Care Nurse Conference which runs from 18 to 19 March. During the conference, the McGrath Breast Care Nurses will meet with breast care nurses from across Australia in order to share experiences, attend workshops and training sessions, and discuss ways to better care for women diagnosed with breast cancer, and their families.
Meeting in Coogee a day before the conference begins, the McGrath Breast Care Nurses will have a specialised training day run by the McGrath Foundation, as well as the chance to relax at dinner with members of the McGrath Foundation’s staff and board, and, of course, McGrath Foundation Chairman, Glenn McGrath.
Glenn knows firsthand the importance of having a breast care nurse available to families facing breast cancer, as it was the support his late wife, Jane, received from a breast care nurse which inspired the couple to establish the McGrath Foundation in order to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia.
“The McGrath Breast Care Nurses are the heart and soul of the McGrath Foundation,” says Glenn. “It has made me so proud to see the number of McGrath Breast Care Nurses grow to 54 over the past eighteen months, as not so long ago, this army of nurses only existed in Jane’s dreams. Jane would be blown away, as I am, by the progress that has been made and also encouraged by these dedicated nurses who work tirelessly to support women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families.”
The conference will also provide an opportunity for the McGrath Breast Care Nurses to meet the newest addition to the McGrath Foundation Family, Kim Kerin-Ayres. Newly appointed to the role of McGrath Clinical Nurse Educator, Kim has worked in oncology nursing since 1989, giving her the necessary experience and dedication to offer continuing education to the McGrath Breast Care Nurses, as well as emotional and practical support where needed.
“It is a privilege to help and educate the McGrath Breast Care Nurses, as they work tirelessly to support women diagnosed with breast cancer, and their families,” says Kim.
“We know that breast care nurses face challenges and emotional strain each and every day. The McGrath Foundation recognises that when we support our McGrath Breast Care Nurses in their roles, they are better able to care for their patients and help women and their families through the difficulties of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
“I’m really looking forward to being able to meet each of the McGrath Breast Care Nurses today and becoming part of the team that is continuing to do this amazing work across the country.”
Veteran McGrath Breast Care Nurse from Swan Hill, Judi Maple, says she is excited to meet Kim at the conference and applauds the McGrath Foundation for their decision to bring a McGrath Clinical Nurse Educator into the fold.
“Being a McGrath Breast Care Nurse keeps me busy, and at times it is hard to stay on top of the latest information on breast care nursing,” says Judi. “To have Kim on board as the McGrath Clinical Nurse Educator will provide an invaluable support system to myself and my fellow McGrath Breast Care Nurses, ensuring we can provide the best care possible to the women with breast cancer who we help every day.”
Keep an eye out for Kim as she drives around Sydney in her hot pink PT Cruiser, kindly donated by the McGrath Foundation’s generous Corporate Friend, Community First Credit Union.
