Serendipity are local ladies on a mission. They want a full time breast care nurse for Tamworth and will stop at nothing to get one.
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That mission took another hit last week when visiting Test great and breast cancer crusader Glen McGrath confirmed that Tamworth is not in line to receive a McGrath Nurse, despite the efforts of so many locals and festival goers donating and running charity days for the cause.
Serendipity president Liney Manning and vice president Trina Constable have achieved some remarkable outcomes in recent years but are continually left questioning why a regional centre like Tamworth does not have a full time breast care nurse, whether it be from the likes of the McGrath foundation or federally funded.
“We are all singing the same tune and I would never want to deter from anything the McGrath Foundation are doing,” Mrs Manning said.
“But this area raises a lot of money for the McGrath foundation and then that money leaves the region. We believe local money should go to local people, especially when it is needed here.”
“It is not about competition it is about outcomes, and we won’t compromise on that.”
Currently the region has part time breast care nurse roles in Armidale and Moree, as well as a coordinator in Tamworth that are all federally funded, but the fact remains that Tamworth and the North West need more.
“We want to make clear that we are absolutely supportive of the McGrath Foundation and everything they do but there is local charity money leaving the community that people need here,” Mrs Manning said.
“I am positive that there will be a successful outcome for Tamworth and we could achieve that same outcome if the donations were going to a local charity.”
“Our roll as as an independent volunteer committee is to be the people’s advocate – all we want is for women to have the best possible journey and outcome that they can get.”
“We have a great cancer facility here that cost a bomb but we don’t have the full package and we need it.”
The great Australian fast bowler is due back in town on February 15 to be special guest at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, where he will be talking about the future of the McGrath Foundation and business goals, just three weeks after confirming that Tamworth isn’t in line to receive a McGrath nurse anytime soon.
“It would be nice if the chamber came to us or someone else to see what can actually be achieved in Tamworth, by Tamworth people, for Tamworth,” Mrs Manning said.
“We only want the best outcome and we will be successful with or without the McGrath Foundation.”
Cancer Council figures show that currently the Tamworth region has 192 women battling breast cancer, while Armidale has 75, Moree 36, Narrabri 43, with another 30 between Uralla and Walcha.
