The McGrath Foundation sees Jane McGrath’s dream on track

FROM taking hot pink to iconic levels to fundraising for breast care nurses, how is The McGrath Foundation progressing, ten years in?

Glenn McGrath walks in front of the Members stand with his kids and Tracy Bevan during Jane McGrath Pink Test Day ceremonies before play in the 5th Ashes Cricket Test match between Australia and England at the SCG .Picture Gregg Porteous

NOT long ago, cricket and breast cancer treatment would have been considered an unlikely partnership. But thanks to the McGrath Foundation, one of Australia’s leading breast cancer support organisations, the two are well and truly linked in Australia’s sporting landscape.

Now in its seventh year, Jane McGrath Day — day three of the Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground — has become an iconic event. This year marks the charity’s 10th anniversary, and with the celebrations come an ambitious new goal: in 2015, it aims to increase the number of specialised breast care nurses to 110.

Shane Watson of Australia poses with Glenn McGrath to promote the McGrath Foundation Pink Test on January 3, 2015.

Today, NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant will announce a $2.5 million grant for the foundation, set up in honour of the late wife of cricket great Glenn McGrath.

The money will help the charity with its ongoing activities and with increasing its number of nurses by nine.

The charity currently funds 101 positions. It says it has helped support more than 30,000 families affected by breast cancer.

Foundation chief executive Petra Buchanan says the charity is getting closer to achieving its ultimate goal of providing every Australian breast cancer patient with access to a specialised nurse.

Steven Smith of Australia hands over his pink cap to Glenn McGrath on Jane McGrath day during day three of the Fourth Test match between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground.

A “needs assessment” study undertaken in 2010 found about 150 breast care nurses were needed to ensure every family experiencing breast cancer in Australia would have the support of a specialised nurse.

“For us it’s really about making sure that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer has the opportunity to have a breast care nurse involved with their treatment,” she told AAP.

“There is still a long way to go in achieving that.”

The charity relies on donations to pay for specialist nurses, which each cost about $370,000 to fund for three years.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her life. Fortunately overall survival from breast cancer has improved in recent years, she says.

“Luckily, the life expectancy of breast cancer has increased dramatically over the last few years.

“But that means we are going to have more people living through breast cancer, so it’s not that that hardship is going to go away.”

Australian captain Steve Smith and the Australian team are welcomed by former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath as they walk onto the field for 'Jane McGrath Day' on January 8, 2015 in Sydney.

Events such as the Pink Test help increase awareness of the disease, she says.

“The more that people are aware of it, the more they can be of greater assistance in terms of support for family, friends and colleagues.”

Glenn McGrath with his late wife Jane. Pic Brett Costello.

Jane McGrath fought a decade-long battle with breast cancer. She died in 2008 at age 42.