Dubai: Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath says his charitable foundation has taken him on an ‘exceptional journey’ following a tragic beginning.
The McGrath Foundation is a breast cancer support and education charity in Australia set up in 1997 when the former fast bowler’s late first wife Jane was diagnosed with the disease.
Jane passed away in 2008 but, since then, McGrath has worked tirelessly to ensure other breast cancer sufferers get the best possible treatment and advice.
McGrath, who married his second wife Sara in 2011, said: “We relaunched as the McGrath Foundation in 2005 with two main objectives. One was to raise awareness of breast cancer, especially in young women. The other one was to place breast cancer nurses right across Australia.
“And, unfortunately, my late wife lost her battle with cancer in 2008 and the support for the foundation since then has been amazing. To think we’re now raising more than $12 million a year and we have 101 nurses in the Australian community, who have supported over 25,000 families in the last five years, hearing those numbers just blows me away.
“The support has been incredible and it’s been an exceptional journey.”
McGrath is particularly proud that, every year, the Australian team and supporters embrace his cause through the iconic Sydney ‘Pink’ Test in December.
Brightly dressed fans transform the Sydney Cricket Ground into a sea of pink to raise awareness for the charity, with the Australian players swapping their traditional baggy green caps for pink ones for the day.
McGrath says the foundation could be rolled out in other countries such as India in the future.
But, for now, he is focused solely on achieving the charity’s goals in Australia.
He said: “My late wife’s dream was for every Australian family to have access to a breast cancer nurse where they live. We want an additional 150 nurses in Australian communities and at the moment we have 101, so we have a fair way to go.
“We’re focused on achieving our Australian goals before we look anywhere else.”
For more information on, or to donate to, the foundation, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au
