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- 20 Years Of Hope
20 years of hope
Phoebe Sceresini and her McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Kate Tracey
Phoebe Sceresini’s world was turned upside down after being diagnosed with breast cancer on her hen’s day when she was just 27 years old.
During such a challenging time in her life, hope came from her dream of becoming a mum.
At her very first appointment, Phoebe told her McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Kate Tracey, about her upcoming wedding to her fiancé Pete, and that more than anything she wanted to start a family.
So, while Phoebe focused on planning her wedding, Kate was busy putting everything in place– setting up appointments, arranging IVF treatment, and preparing Phoebe for what lay ahead before chemotherapy began.
Four years after finishing treatment, Phoebe and Pete welcomed their little boy Eddie into the world.
“The impact Kate had not only on myself, but my family and friends, helped turn an impossible situation into a manageable one.”
- Phoebe Sceresini
“I was able to advocate for an early referral to a fertility specialist and Phoebe was able to undergo fertility preservation before she started treatment. This gave Phoebe and Pete the peace of mind that they had fertility options if there were issues with becoming pregnant once completing her treatment.”
- Kate Tracey
At the heart of the McGrath Foundation’s extraordinary journey is Kerry Patford, one of the original McGrath Cancer Care Nurses who has since risen to become the Foundation’s Chief Nurse.
Over the last 20 years, McGrath Cancer Care Nurses have been a lifeline in regional and rural Australia, providing expert care, hope, and support to families during their toughest times.
20 years ago, Tracy Bevan sat beside her best friend, Jane McGrath, sharing tears, laughter, and what felt like an impossible dream.
More than 20 years ago, Alison Szwajcer met Jane McGrath. Alison was Jane’s breast care nurse, a humble but unforgettable presence who entered Jane’s life when her cancer returned and metastasised in 2006.