News

Helping to bowl over breast cancer

May 13, 2015

They went by the nick-name “the Pinkies” in the recently-completed Mildura Bowls Club Corporate Bowls challenge – but it was a moniker the Mildura Sprint Team embraced and put to good use!

The nickname was the result of the four-man team’s choice of hot-pink playing shirts, donated by Exide Batteries.

“Exide produced the shirts because of a partnership with the McGrath Foundation, so we decided to use them when we formed our team for the Monday night corporate comp. I guess we wanted to stand out!” said Sprint Auto Parts partner and team captain Peter Fricke.

And stand out the team did – winning the title and then duly donating their $200 prize money to the McGrath Foundation.

Accepting the cheque at the Mildura Bowls Club this week, Mildura’s McGrath Breast Care Nurse Louise James said the contribution typified the imagination and generosity that helped the Foundation to thrive.

“The McGrath Foundation is now 10 years old and it’s the great ideas and genorisity of people and groups like the Pinkies that’s funded over 100 Breast Care Nurses across Australia,” Louise said.

“That’s allowed around 30,000 families to be supported by a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.”

Louise is located at the Mildura Base Hospital and available to see public, private and community patients.

“One in eight women in our community will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. My role is to support them, as well as their families, through what is a terrible time. I do that with information, helping people understand technical and complicated material and just by being a listening ear.”

Louise said raising awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early diagnosis was also an central aspect of the McGrath Breast Care Nurse role.

“More than half of all breast cancers are discovered by the woman herself or her doctor,” Louise said.

“Early detection saves lives. The earlier the cancer is discovered, the greater chances of successful treatment.

“It’s never too early to be Breast Aware no matter your age, shape or size. Being breast aware will make you feel more confident about knowing your body and detecting any changes.”