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Life-changing care when it matters most
For Dan, life revolved around his family.
A devoted husband to Simone, dad to teenage daughters Ella and Jemima, and lifelong sports lover, he was busy living an active life when everything suddenly changed.
In May 2024, Dan was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
“The doctor came in and said, ‘You’ve got cancer.’ Just like that,” Dan recalls. “I didn’t hear much after the word cancer. I was just thinking, what does this mean? Am I going to die? What will my life look like? What’s the next step?”
For months, Dan and Simone tried to navigate the medical system on their own. There were appointments, medical teams, treatment decisions and an overwhelming amount of information to take in. Dan underwent radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour. Then came another devastating blow: the cancer had returned, this time in his liver.
“We had three different medical teams, surgeons, oncologists, specialists, and so much information coming at us. It was very overwhelming,” Simone says.
Around the same time, the McGrath Foundation had expanded its care to all cancers. Not long after, Dan was connected with McGrath Cancer Care Nurse Kelly.
With Kelly in his corner, Dan had someone to guide him through the uncertainty with expert clinical care and genuine compassion. She helped coordinate appointments, navigate complex information and support the whole family through some of their toughest moments.
“The difference Kelly made was honestly incredible. I don’t know how to describe it, words fail me. It’s a game changer. In fact, that doesn’t even feel big enough. It’s life-changing!” Dan says.
For Simone, Kelly’s support “freed up time in our family, for our family. She has provided hope and made us feel like it’s not all doom and gloom.”
And for Dan, “You’ve got this person who marries everything together and they make it all make sense.”
With Kelly beside them, Dan and his family no longer had to navigate cancer alone. They had an expert in their corner, helping bring clarity, confidence and calm when they needed it most.
For more than five years, Justin supported the McGrath Foundation. Then his mum’s breast cancer diagnosis revealed just how life-changing expert cancer care can be.
From everyday purchases to specialist care, partners like Nu-Pure, La Roche-Posay and Cable are helping more people access the support of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse.
From local Pink Stumps Days to the NRMA Insurance Pink Test, cricket brings communities together every summer to help fund McGrath Cancer Care Nurses.
Meet Daniel, Dinah and Pauline, three of the 430 McGrath Cancer Care Nurses providing free, expert cancer care and support in communities across Australia.
A principal turned pink, and the St Augustine Parish Primary School community rallied behind the cause, showing what’s possible when people come together for care and support.
What started as a love of cricket became a day Aaron and Michelle will never forget. Discover how a mother-in-law and son-in-law duo found friendship, purpose and a deeper connection to the McGrath Foundation while volunteering with the Pink Army at the Pink Test.
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Matt’s life changed in an instant. At 34, he was working in civil construction and raising a young family with his partner Kyra, life was busy but normal. Then one day, something didn’t feel right.
As a mum of three, Meg was used to being on the go, balancing family life with her work in disability support services. Then a strange tightness in her leg began to bother her.
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Dan was always on the move. A devoted husband, father of two teenage girls and lifelong sports lover, he lived a busy, active life in Melbourne. So, when a routine run left him unusually short of breath, he knew something wasn’t right.
Kirby is used to caring for others. A registered nurse from Maitland, a mum to two young children, and someone who loves the outdoors, 37-year-old Kirby had built her life around caring for others and making the most of family time. Days were filled with work, camping trips, cricket, and the joyful chaos of raising her kids, Norah and Vance.
At just 24, Angelique’s life changed with a breast cancer diagnosis. With the support of her partner and her McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, she navigated treatment with resilience and a focus on what lay ahead.
When a routine blood test revealed multiple myeloma, Helen’s life changed unexpectedly. With the support of her McGrath Cancer Care Nurse and her family, she approached treatment with optimism and continues to live life fully.
At 45, Rachel’s life changed in a matter of weeks when a minor stomach issue led to a bowel cancer diagnosis. With the support of her McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, she is navigating treatment while staying connected to the life and family she loves.
