Pink Day in Woy Woy raises $12,000

A group of women have raised just under $12,000 to support regional breast cancer care nurses through a Pink Day event at Woy Woy.

Organised by Ms Vonnie Wood, the event was held at Woy Woy's Ela Mesa restaurant on October 25 with 30 women coming together for an afternoon of raffles, a silent auction and a long lunch as they raised funds for the Jane McGrath Foundation.

The Foundation was formed by Jane McGrath, the late wife of Australian cricket player Glenn McGrath.

Her public experience with breast cancer and the impact of her own breast care nurse set her commitment and the mission for the Foundation: to ensure that every family experiencing breast cancer would have access to a breast care nurse no matter where they lived, for free.

Pink Days have since been held around the country to honour McGrath's memory and to help make her dream come true.

Ms Wood started the Woy Woy Pink Day last year and raised $12,000 to support the Foundation.

This year's event came close to that figure but Ms Wood said she and the rest of the women who attended were thrilled to have contributed just under $24,000 to the cause in such a short period of time.

Ms Wood said Pink Day was well supported by local women and businesses because the event served as a poignant reminder of the battle against breast cancer.

"Sadly, we all know someone affected by breast cancer.

"Only 18 months ago, my mother-in-law struggled through her own diagnosis and after a double mastectomy insists McGrath Foundation breast care nurses are angels.

"Pink Day is to celebrate these nurses and to help people like my mother-in-law who desperately need this service," Ms Wood said.

McGrath Foundation director Ms Tracy Bevan attended the Woy Woy event.

"Tracy was Jane's best friend and was there for her throughout her cancer journey," said Ms Wood.

"Jane entrusted Tracy with her dying wish to keep the Foundation flourishing and she has done just that."

Ms Wood said planning was already underway for next year's Pink Day which she said would feature a breast care nurse as its second guest speaker.

SOURCE:

Email, 25 Oct 2019

Interview (Dilon Luke), 6 Nov 2019

Vonnie Wood, Woy Woy Pink Day