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- "Now it's hit home"
"Now it's hit home."
For more than five years, Justin has supported the McGrath Foundation as a monthly supporter.
It all started after a conversation with a fundraiser at his door sharing the Foundation’s purpose and the difference cancer care could make for people and families facing a diagnosis. While cancer hadn’t touched his life personally at the time, the message stayed with him.
“I knew this was something worth giving to.”
But this year, everything changed.
“At 10:27pm, my phone rang. It was Mum.”
Living in Tasmania, Justin’s mum Jill called with news no family ever wants to hear. After weeks of tests, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 77.
“Now it's hit home.”
Suddenly, Justin found himself learning about appointments, treatment plans, chemotherapy and the uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Living in Brisbane, he was trying to support his mum from afar while preparing for the road ahead.
“The ability to access someone, a support person, who can be there when you need them and help you navigate what's ahead, that means a lot.”
- Justin
“You have no idea until you get there. You don’t really know about it until it affects you.”
What has struck Justin most is the ripple effect cancer has on everyone around the person experiencing it.
“It’s not just the person. It’s everyone.”
As Jill began treatment, Justin saw firsthand how important support can be, particularly for people living in regional and rural communities.
"Without help, it's extremely hard. The ability to access someone, a support person, who can be there when you need them and help you navigate what's ahead, that means a lot."
“I am so glad I have given. If what I gave has in some small way helped someone else in this space in the past five years, well, that is fantastic.”
- Justin
Seeing his mum navigate her diagnosis reinforced the need for support, not only for the person experiencing cancer, but for the family and friends beside them.
When Justin first began donating monthly, the McGrath Foundation provided care to people experiencing breast cancer. Over the years, ongoing supporters like him have helped make it possible for that care to expand to all cancers, ensuring more people and families can access the support of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse.
Today, Justin hopes his story encourages others to give monthly. Whether cancer has touched your life personally or not, he believes supporting a cause bigger than yourself can make a lasting difference.
“I am so glad I have given. If what I gave has in some small way helped someone else in this space in the past five years, well, that is fantastic.”
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.
When Dan’s cancer diagnosis left his family facing an overwhelming healthcare system, McGrath Cancer Care Nurse Kelly provided the expert support they needed.
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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