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- Together through it all: Anne & Rakhi's story
Together through it all: Anne & Rakhi's story
Anne and Rakhi first crossed paths as registered nurses in the same hospital ward.
Their bond grew even stronger in 2019, when Anne was diagnosed with breast cancer and again 18 months later, when Rakhi faced her own diagnosis. Through every scan, treatment and hospital visit, they found comfort in each other and in McGrath Cancer Care Nurse Elaine, who’d once been their colleague.
A shared purpose at the Pink Test
When Rakhi suggested they volunteer at the NRMA Insurance Pink Test, Anne was all in. They donned their brightest pink and joined hundreds of others raising vital funds for people facing cancer.
“This year was even more amazing because it supports not just people with breast cancer, but all types of cancer,” Anne says.
For Rakhi, it was the perfect way to honour the support she received from McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Elaine.
“It involves everybody. I don’t think any other Foundations are doing what the McGrath Foundation has the ability to,” she says.
Tips from two experienced volunteers
They’ve learnt a thing or two about making the most of the day.
“You’re doing a lot of walking and you want to be comfortable,” Anne says.
“It’s a serious fundraiser, you’ve got to really get in there if you want to raise money, but also find ways to have fun, dress up, take breaks and chat to people.”
Rakhi adds that playful banter can boost donations – especially when someone spots your pink fairy wings.
“People kept wanting our pink hats and then someone wanted my pink fairy wings. They obviously wanted to donate, but I told them they had to go a lot higher than that!”
Volunteering side by side also gave them precious time together.
“We don’t see each other that often, but when we do it feels like we just continue from where we left off,” Rakhi says.
For both Anne and Rakhi, the day is as much about community as it is about fundraising. Anne sees it as the only way to repay the outstanding care she received.
“It’s the only way for me to give back for all the amazing care I received. I can’t give that in monetary terms, but I can put in the effort at the Pink Test,” she says.
Rakhi’s first year volunteering included the unforgettable honour of unfurling the Jane McGrath silk.
“It was an amazing experience, it touched something in me,” she says.
“The atmosphere, the grandness of it all and what it means really touched me. To do it with other people that have gone through, or are going through the same thing as me, made it even more uplifting. It’s being a part of something bigger than yourself.”
Feeling inspired? Register now to join our Pink Army of Volunteers, proudly supported by Toyota.
Trisha joined our Pink Army of volunteers in honour of her sister, Sue. In 2022, Sue was diagnosed with stage-four cancer, so she rallied family and friends to lend a hand at last year’s NRMA Insurance Pink Test.
Jade Wendt, 45, had just finished supporting her mum through breast cancer when she was diagnosed herself. Four months later, her husband David, 44, “stole her limelight” when he was diagnosed with renal cancer while she was midway through her third round of chemotherapy.
Every day, Michiko Ban provides life-changing care to people going through cancer, and their families. This International Nurses Day, Michiko reflects on her role, and the impact it makes to people during their diagnosis and treatment.
Kristyn Schilling joined the McGrath Foundation in late 2024 and is one of our first specialist nurses providing care to people going through Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary & Gynaecological Cancers.
Marie Laing has been a cancer care nurse for 17 years and is based in Canberra. She is one of our first McGrath Cancer Care Nurses to specialise in lung cancer.