October 2, 2021
It’s October! Which means it’s time to break out everything pink around the South Burnett!
Towns across the region – from Yarraman to Proston and north to Goomeri – will be turning pink this month and raising money for the McGrath Foundation.
The Foundation funds breast care nurses across Australia who work with breast cancer patients and their families.
In the South Burnett, this mean Sue Cox.
Sue told southburnett.com.au she had been working with breast cancer patients in the South Burnett for about six years.
She deals with their clinical needs as well as providing logistical and emotional support, and can even point people in the right direction to get financial advice.
“I help them navigate the health system,” she said.
At the moment, she has 110 women on her books, including women who have recovered from cancer but are “negotiating their new normal”.
“Pinking Up The South Burnett” was officially launched on Friday in Kingaroy and will run for all of October.
Cr Kathy Duff said donation tins would be placed in shops in various towns, and activities were also being planned across the region.
South Burnett Regional Council staff will be wearing something pink every Friday and taking part in fundraising at work.
In Yarraman, the local line-dancing group turned pink on Friday as a McGrath Foundation fundraiser, organised by local resident Kay Ezzy.
About 35 dancers turned up from groups in Yarraman, Nanango and Wondai and took to the floor at Yarraman Memorial Hall.
Cr Duff said the Hivesville Hotel was also planning a fundraising event, raffling items autographed by former Test cricketer Glenn McGrath.
Other events were being planned in Goomeri, Proston and Cherbourg and some shops would also be decorated in pink.
In Murgon, Alicia Pidgeon is hosting a trivia night fundraiser at the Royal Hotel from 6:00pm on Saturday, October 16.
Dress up in your best pink outfits, the crazier the better. Cost is $25 per person and there will be prizes, raffles, DJ and food.
The McGrath Foundation was begun by Glenn and his wife Jane in 2002. Sadly Jane died of cancer in 2008 but Glenn continued to support the Foundation named in her honour.
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Thank you for covering our event, it was a huge success and thrilled we are able to support a local McGrath Foundation nurse in Sue Cox.
Thank you Sue for your genuine, every day and far reaching support of people facing this terrible challenge.