In the lead up to the Domain Pink Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (3-7 January 2019), the McGrath Foundation, together with Cricket Australia, is raising awareness of the need for breast care nursing services in Australia.
McGrath Foundation Co-Founder and President, Glenn McGrath AM presented the Australian men’s Test team with their baggy pink caps for the official team photo and announced the need for increased funding to address the national shortfall in breast care nurses.
Research from the McGrath Foundation shows that in 2019 there will be a shortfall of over 100 breast care nurses across the country and this figure will grow by an incremental 10 per cent by 2023 – a shortfall of 135.
Over the last decade the Sydney Pink Test has become a national phenomenon and is the largest sporting fundraising initiative in Australia. The cricket community, both on and off the field, wear pink as a symbolic show of support for those experiencing breast cancer and raise much needed funds for the McGrath Foundation.
The aim of the event is to raise funds to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia and support the thousands of people experiencing breast cancer every year.
Glenn McGrath says: “With 50 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer every day there is critical and continuing need for more McGrath Breast Care Nurses to support families through breast cancer.”
Holly Masters McGrath Foundation CEO says: “Thanks to organisations such as Cricket Australia we have funded over 120 McGrath Breast Care Nurses, and have supported tens of thousands of families, but there is still a long way to go to meet demand for these services.”
“This year we’ve set our biggest and most ambitious fundraising goal ever: $2,100,000 to fund 15 McGrath Breast Care Nurses for a year,” Ms Masters continues.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Kevin Roberts commented: “Every year we’re overwhelmed by the support the Pink Test generates for the McGrath Foundation. From the two teams taking part in the Test, to the thousands of fans who bathe the SCG in pink, the cricket community should feel proud of the positive difference they make to people touched by breast cancer.”
