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By RugbyWA Media Unit
5 May 2014
The Western Force will wear pink socks in their match against the Lions at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) on Saturday, 24 May in support of the McGrath Foundation’s ‘Pull On Your Socks’ campaign.
‘Pull On Your Socks’ encourages sports teams to wear pink socks to support the McGrath Foundation ensure every family in Australia experiencing breast cancer has access to a breast care nurse, as well as increasing breast awareness in young Australians.
The Western Australian team is encouraging its supporters in the Sea of Blue to join in the campaign by purchasing pink ‘Pull On Your Socks’ socks from the Western Force Team Store for the match with all proceeds going to the McGrath Foundation. Local teams can also get on board by registering to host their own Pull On Your Socks game at www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au.
Cricketing legend and McGrath Foundation Friend, Justin Langer attended Western Force training with Perth McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Moira Waters to help launch the club’s ‘Pull On Your Socks’ match. Moira is based out of Breast Cancer Care WA and supports local families through their breast cancer experience from diagnosis and right through treatment.
McGrath Foundation Co-Founder and President, Glenn McGrath AM, will attend the Western Force’s match against the Lions.
One in eight Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85, with more than 1,500 Western Australian women estimated to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.
Today, the McGrath Foundation is considered to be one of Australia’s leading breast cancer support organisations, with over 25,000 Australian families supported by 92 McGrath Breast Care Nurses nationally in the last five years. An additional eight positions will be placed in the coming months bringing the network total to 100.
There are currently nine McGrath Breast Care Nurses working in WA with three new McGrath Breast Care Nurse positions to be placed in the coming months in Geraldton, Mandurah and Narrogin. These McGrath Breast Care Nurses have supported more than 1,700 families over the past few years.
Western Force captain Matt Hodgson said his team was keen to support such a worthwhile cause.
“We’re very pleased to get behind the ‘Pull On Your Socks’ campaign to support the great work the McGrath Foundation does,” he said.
“Most people will know a friend or have a family member that has been affected by breast cancer, and we’re very happy to do what we can to promote breast cancer awareness and help raise funds to provide these people with the support they need.”
McGrath Foundation Ambassador and Director, Tracy Bevan, is thrilled to have the support of the Force and the entire WA community.
"Initiatives like ‘Pull On Your Socks’ are not only important for our funding of McGrath Breast Care Nurses but are a great way for the community to get on board and show their support, just like the Force is doing,” she said. “We're so excited to be at the Force Field on the 24 May and can't wait to see all the fans decked in our pink socks and taking part in ‘Pull On Your Socks’!”
To find out more about the McGrath Foundation and the Pull On Your Socks campaign, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/pullonyoursocks.