Bringing Care to Regional Breast Cancer Patients: As Proud Helpers of the McGrath Foundation meet Kate Williams, whose position was made possible by NRMA Insurance.

In the peaceful country region of south-east South Australia on Potaruwatj Country, McGrath Breast Care Nurse Kate Williams is delivering specialised care to locals facing breast cancer.

Driving over 1000 kilometres in a standard week from Adelaide to a second base near Bordertown, and the clinic at Naracoorte Hospital, Kate is happy to go the extra distance to support her patients.

Kate’s role was created after a colleague in Mount Gambier realised the need for more localised patient care in SA’s upper south-east. Her placement was then funded through the support of NRMA Insurance with a donation of $420,000 to the McGrath Foundation. She’s one of 200 McGrath Breast Care Nurses providing specialised care in communities around Australia.

A registered nurse with more than 30 years’ experience which includes midwifery, surgical, emergency, aged care and rural nursing, Kate believes that her calling to become a nurse was hereditary. 

“I do have nursing in my DNA. Mum was a nurse, and her two sisters were nurses. My Dad’s sister, his sister-in-law and her two daughters were nurses as well. Even two of my Mum’s aunties were nurses. I always enjoyed the feelgood feeling of doing something nice for someone, even at a young age.”

Kate has learnt that while her patients often have strong support networks through family, friends and the local community, having free access to a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is an invaluable resource.

“You develop such a personal relationship with those facing a breast cancer diagnosis and their families,” Kate reveals. “Sometimes really close friends and family don't quite grasp what these women and men are going through. I'm that person nearby that  can provide educated support and reassurance.”

Part of Kate’s expertise lies in her deep understanding of the nature of regional life, especially when a diagnosis can cause what she calls a ‘shockwave’ through a small community. 

“It's like you are there for them as well, the family members and friends, the community in communities. If someone is really suffering, the whole community feels that.” 

Understandably passionate when it comes to providing expert clinical care and educating her patients to empower them throughout their experience, Kate admits she in turn learns a lot from the people she treats, gaining knowledge and experiences she can pass on to others in her care. 

Many of the people that Kate has treated are only too willing to share their stories about how her support has helped. After making the journey to Mildura for a routine breast ultrasound, Rhonda describes her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment as a ‘rollercoaster of emotions’. After undergoing surgery twice to remove  tumours followed by a course of radiation, Rhonda remembers that meeting Kate was more like going to see a close friend than visiting a nurse.

“What a woman she is. When I first talked to Kate I said ‘I’m fine’, but she kept messaging me to ask how I’m going,” Rhonda recalls. “She never made me feel like she’d gone from the picture. When I did start getting worried, she met me in person. It was like going and seeing your best mate. It is wonderful that she is here in our small community. To have a person at your back door with her expertise, it’s marvellous.”

Over 150 kilometres away in the town of Kingston, local woman Janette found an expert and a confidante in Kate while going through surgery and radiation. 

“It was fantastic to be able to speak to someone about all aspects of it,” Janette shares. “Mentally, physically, emotionally. Having Kate there as a friend, she had so much empathy, but also had all the knowledge and all the answers for me. We’ve developed such a great friendship, but it isn’t just mental support, it's also about getting really valuable clinical information.”

It’s clear that Kate’s placement is helping patients with much more than medical care, and she believes she is equally rewarded in her position as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.

"We're here for them, to help them through their experience and to guide them for as long as they need. It's the continuity of care. It's making a difference to people's lives. They are going through an extremely difficult, traumatic time. The stress is huge for them. And if you can take a little bit of pressure off by being there for them, it is extremely rewarding.”

Find out more about how you can help https://go.nrma.com.au/McGrathHelp