The Morrison Government will provide an additional $40 million to increase support for breast cancer patients through the expansion of the McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse Program.
The funding will ensure we continue to support around 20,000 Australians experiencing breast cancer with dedicated McGrath Breast Care Nurses for a further three years.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the increased support would assist the McGrath Foundation towards its goal of providing a nurse to every breast cancer patient and their family, no matter where they live or what their financial situation.
“McGrath Breast Care Nurses provide vital clinical, psychological and emotional support to people facing their toughest days,” the Prime Minister said.
“Too many families around Australia are affected by this terrible disease, whether it be mums, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, co-workers or friends.
“The additional funding for the McGrath Foundation will help to ensure that as many of these people and their families can receive the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, right from the moment of diagnosis.”
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, thanked the McGrath Foundation for their exceptional work supporting and improving lives.
“Together with the Prime Minister, I express my deepest gratitude to McGrath Breast Care Nurses who have provided more than 250,000 hours of nursing in the last year alone,” Minister Hunt said.
“This $40 million commitment will extend support for the program for an additional three years and help to increase the number of Commonwealth-funded Breast Care Nurses from 102 to 114 by 2025-26.
“This will help to save lives and protect lives across our nation.”
The McGrath Foundation CEO Holly Masters was grateful for the funding and encouraged people across Australia to continue to support the Foundation.
“Australians will always come together for a good cause, which is why they have embraced the McGrath Foundation and the iconic Pink Test,” Ms Masters said.
“The community’s support is just as important in ensuring we can continue funding McGrath Breast Care Nurses to support people going through breast cancer right across Australia.”
Commonwealth-funded Breast Cancer Nurses have supported over 14,000 Australians fighting breast cancer since 2019. This commitment takes the total Commonwealth support for this program to $123 million.
