Cancer charities pouring into McGrath Foundation following Janes death

Its been a week since Aussie cricketer Glenn McGraths wife Jane lost her heroic 11-year battle with cancer but her legacy still lives on, with more than half a million dollars pouring into the McGrath Foundation.

Sydney, June 27 : It's been a week since Aussie cricketer Glenn McGrath's wife Jane lost her heroic 11-year battle with cancer but her legacy still lives on, with more than half a million dollars pouring into the McGrath Foundation.

Since her death on June 22, public donations had topped 450,000 Australian dollars and the State Government has pledged a further 100,000 Australian dollars, said the foundation's Michaela Durrant.

"It's incredible, the support has really been incredible. We really want to say a huge heartfelt thank you to everybody," Sydney Morning Herald quoted Durrant, as saying.

No decision had been made on how the money would be spent, she said.

She said: "But it looks like we've got enough to support an additional breast care nurse for three years, and we'd be well on the way to a second one.

'Jane said of the support she received from a breast care nurse in 2003 that it was like having someone hold your hand through one of the worst experiences of your life, and I think that best sums up how important they are."

In addition to financial support, the foundation had also received numerous offers from people wanting to volunteer by "answering phones, picking up orders, completing receipts for donations", Durrant said.

Schools had also said they wanted to host "pink" fundraising days.

However, the sadness of losing Mrs McGrath had been a constant backdrop to the foundation's success this week.

"It's been tremendously sad week and a tragic loss for everybody here," Durrant said.

"But all we can do is try and continue Jane's legacy," she added.

ANI