Wheatbelt region set to benefit from new McGrath IGA Breast Care Nurse

The Wheatbelt Region will now have access to a dedicated McGrath IGA Breast Care Nurse, thanks to generous funding from long-term Corporate Friend of the McGrath Foundation, IGA.

Over the past two years, IGA has rolled out more than six campaigns raising over $200,000 to help fund two part-time McGrath IGA Breast Care Nurse positions – one based in Northam (WA) and one based in Myrtleford (VIC).

The newly appointed McGrath IGA Breast Care Nurse at WA Country Health Service, Bec Creeper, will provide invaluable physical, psychological and emotional support for local families experiencing breast cancer, from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment.

Bec has been nursing for over 25 years, working mainly on a medical oncology ward in the WA metropolitan area.  For the past six years, Bec has been working at Northam Hospital in hospice and palliative care, as well as chemotherapy.

Bec appreciates how important it is for rural patients to have access to services and is eager to help provide support and information to women experiencing breast cancer and their families. As a McGrath IGA Breast Care Nurse, Bec is looking forward to providing support to clients in the Wheatbelt Region.

“I am excited I have the opportunity to be a McGrath IGA Breast Care Nurse and am aware of the need for women to have full support throughout their breast cancer experience. I feel that the more information women have regarding their diagnosis the better they can participate in the decision making related to their own care and treatment. Hopefully having a McGrath IGA Breast Care Nurse situated in the Wheatbelt Region will make a tangible difference to families experiencing breast cancer,” said Bec.

The McGrath Foundation’s Tracy Bevan is thrilled about the placement of the latest McGrath IGA Breast Care Nurse in the Wheatbelt Region.

“We are delighted IGA has committed to funding this McGrath Breast Care Nurse position for the next three years. There is little doubt that Bec Creeper will provide invaluable support for families experiencing breast cancer in the Wheatbelt region.”

“We are incredibly proud of our friendship with IGA. The reality is that they have been an amazing Corporate Friend to the Foundation over the past two years, working with us to fundraise and engage their staff purely to fulfil their ultimate goal of funding a McGrath IGA Breast Care Nurse position.  To know how hard they have worked and to see not one but two communities benefiting from their efforts is amazing.

“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, including generous Corporate Friends like Ingham’s Enterprises, we have 64 McGrath Breast Care Nurses, who have helped support over 10,000 Australian families,” said Tracy.

Mark Crutcher, IGA National Chairman, believes that IGA’s fundraising efforts will have a huge impact on families experiencing breast cancer.

“IGA retailers across Australia have all come on board to support numerous McGrath Foundation initiatives in the past two years to help raise funds for more breast care nurses where they are really needed. Sadly, breast cancer affects many women all over the country and the work the McGrath Foundation does in supporting them and their families at their time of need is vital and IGA are proud to have been able to make a difference,” said Mark.

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), Port Lincoln (SA) and Warrnambool (VIC). 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.