When Minogue issued a plea for women to carry out self-examinations and have regular medical check-ups including mammograms, the number of women who came forward significantly increased.

The premature and sad death of McGrath had a similar affect; it was Jane's vision that more young women be made aware of breast cancer and that money could be raised for specialist breast care nurses for all women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Total donations to the McGrath Foundation since Jane’s passing exceed $1.3 million – indeed a living legacy.

Breast cancer knows no bounds. It can affect the young and old, affluent and poor, and, strange as it may seem, even men.

With breast cancer affecting one in every 11 women, and more than 25 women discovering that they have breast cancer in Australia every day, it is likely that breast cancer has touched someone you know and love. It may be your mother or daughter, friend, neighbour or work colleague.

Currently in Australia, 100,000 women, their families and friends have had to cope or are still coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer and its consequences, according to the NSW Breast Cancer Institute.

Today, on Pink Ribbon Day 2008, we should stop and think of all these women.

During October, Breast Cancer Month, hundreds of woman across Maitland have got together for Girls Night In events, raising awareness and money.

We must work together – not only today, not only this month – to ensure that all girls and women who are at risk or are diagnosed with breast can receice the best information, advice and treatment and that the inspirational work being done by our researchers doctors, nurses and counsellors long continues.

It’s a battle we must – and can – win.