Lake Mac lifeguards stand proud in pink for breast cancer awareness

Published on 06 January 2022

When Lake Macquarie City Council Senior Lifeguard Lucas Samways pulls on a pink shirt for work this week, it will be much more than a token gesture in support of breast cancer awareness.

It will be a heart-felt shout-out to his beloved mum, Sharon, who succumbed to the illness almost exactly three years ago.

Mr Samways and Council lifeguard colleagues across Lake Mac beaches will all don the pink shirts on Friday 7 January, raising awareness of the McGrath Foundation and the invaluable work it does in the community funding breast care nurses.

It coincides with the ‘Pink Test’ at the SCG between Australia and England.

“Mum was the most beautiful, loving, colourful and caring woman, and the most incredible mum and Nanny,” Mr Samways said.

“She passed away on January 10, 2019 after being diagnosed 18 months earlier with stage four metastatic breast cancer.”

“It was the most heartbreaking news anyone could hear, and it took me a while to realise the severity of it. She started treatment straight away and stayed so positive, and I admire the strength and dedication she showed.”

Mr Samways hoped Council’s support of the McGrath Foundation would help raise funds and “encourage women everywhere to get regular breast cancer check-ups”.

“Donations to the McGrath Foundation provide amazing nurses who help and support patients and their families, which is crucial for a person going through these tough times,” he said.

The McGrath Foundation is selling ‘virtual’ seats to the Pink Test to kick off its fundraising for 2022, with almost 30,000 sold so far.

Go to pinktest.com.au for more information and to donate.