GET your paint brushes and streamers ready for the annual McGrath Foundation Pink Up Your Town fundraiser.
Communities across Australia will band together during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) to show their support and raise much-needed funds for the McGrath Foundation.
Now in its third year, the event will see local clubs, businesses, schools and neighbours plan pink-themed events and activities across the country.
All of the funds raised at Pink Up Your Town events will go towards supporting the McGrath Foundation's mission - to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses with communities in need.
The Foundation currently funds 135 nurses who provide essential physical and psychosocial support for anyone experiencing breast cancer and their families for free.
The growing number of people being diagnosed with breast cancer means the Foundation needs to place over 120 more nurses to reach every family in Australia experiencing breast cancer.
This is why the brightly-coloured visual display that is Pink Up Your Town is so important. It's the perfect way for communities to come together and show support for local people experiencing breast cancer.
Communities are getting involved by hosting a pink-themed fun-run or walk, morning tea, gala ball, auction, raffle, sporting day or even a good, old-fashioned sausage sizzle.
Registered Pink Up Your Town volunteer groups will receive support from the McGrath Foundation to help put their town on the map.
One in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. Additionally, 164 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Since 2005, more than 75,000 families have received the free support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.
A breast cancer diagnosis can be a challenging and overwhelming time. McGrath Breast Care Nurses provide free physical and psycho-social support - from the time of diagnosis and through treatment.
This support includes scheduling and attending specialist appointments, answering questions and decoding medical jargon. This ensures patients are empowered to make decisions about their treatment.
The McGrath Foundation proudly supports the work of their nurses right across Australia including many regional and rural centres, where breast cancer treatment and support may be harder to acquire.
To find the town closest to you that is pinking up, visit pinkupyourtown.com.au
- ACM is proud to partner with the McGrath Foundation in support of Pink Up Your Town.