After seeing a family friend battle breast cancer, Alanah Keene compelled to help out any way she could.
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The under 12 cricketer signed up to take part in Pink Stumps Day, an event run by the McGrath Foundation which raises money to fund breast care nurses across the country.
“I got inspired to join the pink stumps fundraising after seeing family friend dealing with the struggles of what breast cancer can do,” Alanah said.
“I wanted to help and I thought this would be a good idea. It is important to me because I would like to raise awareness of breast cancer and to know that I have helped someone or some families that are doing it tough.”
“I would like to raise $2000, but if I don’t make target all my efforts and all donations still help make a difference.”
To start her fundraising, Alanah and the Catholic Sports Club cricketers held a barbeque outside the Armidale Food Emporium.
They also have another barbeque planned for March 9 at Harris Park and are currently running a raffle with a load of wood, a Glen McGrath-signed bat and ball and a Bing Lee gift card up for grabs.
Alanah has also set up donation tins at Sportspower, Altitude Coffee Roastery, Mount View Butcher, Healthy Inspirations and Spar Express.
Breast care nurse Rachel Stevens is based in Armidale but provides support for patients and their families across the Northern Tablelands.
“Whether it be education, emotional, psychological support and help them as much as I can,” Stevens said.
“It is great and in Armidale it is not always known that there is one in town so it is actually good for someone to get out and make that awareness.”
There are 132 McGrath Foundation breast care nurses across Australia supporting 70,000 families. They need 121 more to ensure everyone in the country has access to the support.