- Stories/
- Newsletter/
- Pink Up the Principal
Pink Up the Principal
Across Australia, people are showing up in incredible ways in the name of care.
From bake sales, high teas and gold coin donation days, to fun runs, workplace fundraisers and community events, people are pinking up to help ensure more people experiencing cancer can access the care they need.
In Central West New South Wales, one local school took things a step further by pinking up their principal.
What started as a goal of raising $1,000 turned into something much bigger, with St Augustine Parish Primary School in Narromine raising an incredible $10,000. The challenge? Raise $100 as a class for the chance to "pink up" the Principal.
With just over 100 students, the school threw themselves into the challenge. Kindy brought the pink make-up, Years 1 and 2 had the hairspray and nail polish ready, Years 3 and 4 went all in with pink water balloons and tattoos, while Years 5 and 6 took charge of the classic pie face and bowling machine.
By the end of the day, the Principal had been well and truly pinked up, and the school's original fundraising goal had been smashed ten times over.
The fundraiser was inspired by one of the school's much-loved teachers, Mrs Heap, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. What began as a way to show their support quickly grew into a whole-school effort, with students, staff, families and the wider Narromine community getting behind the cause.
A massive thank you to St Augustine Parish Primary School and the local community. Their fundraising efforts will help fund more McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, supporting people and families experiencing cancer across Australia.
Stories like this show that care doesn't happen alone. It takes people, communities and organisations coming together to help fund care for people experiencing cancer. So however you choose to show up and pink up, we need you. Whether it's a bake sale, high tea, fun run or something entirely your own, every action helps. Because care for all takes a nation.
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.
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.
)
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.
)
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.
