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Community Initiatives International Nurses Day 2026
This International Nurses Day, Community First Bank is proud to celebrate the life-changing care the McGrath Cancer Care Nurses provide to individuals and families facing all types of cancer. Their dedication and compassion make a profound difference in the lives of those navigating the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. McGrath Cancer Care Nurses provide expert clinical, psychosocial and emotional support, from diagnosis and throughout treatment, offering guidance and strength every step of the way.
Today, we share two examples of how the care provided by the McGrath Cancer Care Nurses is making a real difference to cancer patients and their families.
Dan, Bowel Cancer – Supported by McGrath Cancer Care Nurse Kelly
“Life-changing.” Two words that 54-year-old Dan, and his family use to capture the clarity, confidence and calm of his McGrath Cancer Care Nurse at a time of deep uncertainty.
A devoted husband, proud father of two teenage daughters and lifelong sports lover, Dan was living a busy, active life when everything changed in May 2024. Diagnosed with colorectal cancer, Dan and his wife Simone, for months on end, were trying to navigate the complex medical system alone. At that time, the McGrath Foundation was dedicated to supporting people experiencing breast cancer.
But when Dan’s cancer later returned, this time to his liver, the landscape of cancer care in Australia was starting to change. The McGrath Foundation had expanded its care to all cancers, and that’s when Dan met his McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Kelly Baxter, at Eastern Health Box Hill. With Kelly’s support, the family discovered firsthand the difference that expert, compassionate cancer care can make.
Matt, Brain Cancer – Supported by McGrath Cancer Care Nurse Jordan
Matt, a 34-year-old civil construction worker, passionate cricket fan and adoring father to two daughters, Myah, five years old, and Bonnie, just six weeks old, had his life suddenly turned upside down in March 2025 when he suffered a seizure at work and was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma brain tumour. Known to his loved ones as the most laid-back person around, Matt has faced surgery, radiation and now chemotherapy with remarkable positivity and resilience.
With the loving support of his partner Kyra and the crucial care of his McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Jordan Rahl, Matt’s story highlights the difference accessible, compassionate care can have during life’s toughest moments.
As proud partners of the McGrath Foundation, Community First Bank is honoured to help support the important work of McGrath Cancer Care Nurses and the impact they continue to make for families across Australia. Since 2009, the enduring partnership between Community First Bank and the McGrath Foundation has raised well in excess of $1.6 million and made a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of Australians affected by cancer. The donations have been driven primarily through the bank’s Pink Credit Card, which contributes $25 from each active card annually to help fund the placement of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse in communities nationwide. Community First Credit Union also donates $1 from the monthly fee of its Pink Debit Card to the McGrath Foundation. With the annual cost of funding one McGrath Cancer Care Nurse sitting around $150,000, every cardholder plays a part in helping someone receive free, life-changing support when they need it most. Community First Bank is deeply committed to supporting the McGrath Foundation and their crucial work in our communities. The Foundation’s mission to provide vital support to those affected by cancer aligns closely with Community First’s values.