- Stories/
- Newsletter/
- Making Care Possible
Making Care Possible
For the past ten years, Sharon and Graham have been quietly standing alongside people facing cancer, one regular gift at a time.
Based in Kurri Kurri, a country town in regional New South Wales, Sharon and Graham have always believed in the power of community. Both were teachers and together they have spent more than 60 years actively supporting their town through service clubs, church and community organisations. As town coordinator and long-time volunteers, giving back was never a big decision. “It’s just part of our lives,” Graham says.
“It might feel small, but together it becomes powerful”
- Sharon
Sharon and Graham connected with our purpose to provide free expert care to families experiencing cancer no matter where they live. “That sense of fairness really mattered to us,” Sharon shares. “It felt like something worth being part of.” Service also runs strongly through their family, with their three sons all serving in the Air Force. Those shared values of commitment, resilience and looking out for others shape how Sharon and Graham approach life and giving.
The pair have seen how cancer can change everything in an instant. Through their own experiences, they understand how important calm, trusted care can be in those moments. Sharon describes McGrath Cancer Care Nurses as “a light in the storm”.
Today, Sharon and Graham continue to give regularly, knowing their support helps ensure our nurses can be there for people every step of the way. “It might feel small,” Sharon says, “but together it becomes powerful”.
We were delighted to have Sharon and Graham join us at the Jane McGrath High Tea in January, where they described the afternoon as uplifting and warm, saying the honest stories gave them “a real lift” and reinforced the power of community.
When you give regularly, you stand alongside families facing cancer, just like Sharon and Graham have for the past decade.
Pink Stumps Day saw local cricket clubs across Manly Warringah swap their whites for pink and rally behind a shared cause. With the support of ambassador Sam Konstas, the day proved the power of community-led action in supporting people facing cancer.
When Maureen was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her world changed overnight. With the support of her McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, she faced treatment with honesty, humour and the reassurance that she was not alone.
The McGrath Foundation has launched its new McGrath Model of Care, strengthening and standardising cancer nursing across Australia to ensure more people can access equitable, expert support throughout their cancer experience.
With Toyota proudly backing the volunteer program, more than 600 Pink Army volunteers helped transform the Pink Test into a sea of pink, raising vital funds to support McGrath Cancer Care Nurses.
The 18th NRMA Insurance Pink Test united Australia, raising an extraordinary $12 million to help ensure everyone can access free, expert cancer nursing care.