Cessnock West Public School was a sea of magenta, coral and salmon on Thursday when the school hosted its third annual Pink Stumps Day.
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The event supports the McGrath Foundation’s efforts to place breast care nurses in communities across Australia.
Students, staff and families dressed in pink for a gold coin donation and Stage 3 students took on a combined staff-parents team in a cricket match.
The school held a bake stall with pink food, fingernail painting and sold McGrath Foundation merchandise.
Community liaison officer Marissa Floyd said the school has raised about $6000 for Pink Stumps Day over the past three years.
“One of the teachers was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, so it’s extra special this year,” she said.
More than 50,000 Australian breast cancer patients and their families have now been supported by McGrath Breast Care Nurses, but demand continues to outstrip supply.
With five-year survival rates for breast cancer now at 90 per cent, and the number of people living with a previous breast cancer diagnosis growing from 159,235 in 2008 to a projected 209,200 in 2017, Australia has a critical gap in breast care nursing services – which is set to widen by 38 per cent in the next five years.
McGrath Foundation CEO Petra Buchanan said it costs over $12 million every year to fund the foundation’s 117 nurses.
“The money raised will go towards helping us achieve our mission to ensure that every family experiencing breast cancer has the support of a breast care nurse – no matter where they live – for free,” she said.
A Pink Stumps Day can be held anytime up to April. Registrations and donations can be made at www.pinkstumpsday.com.au.
