Holly McGrath was only eight years old when her mother Jane passed away after battling breast cancer in 2008.
Almost 18 years on, Holly has dedicated her life to helping others affected by the disease and is now working in cancer research.
She now works as a Clinical Trial Administrative Officer at the Peter McCallum Research Centre, supporting research that contributes to improved cancer treatment and patient care.
The Australian community first came to know Holly as a child, when she and her brother James stood beside their father, Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath, at Jane’s funeral.
She remains close to her mum’s best friend Tracy Bevan, who helped establish the McGrath Foundation in 2002 with Jane and Glenn.
“Looking into her daughter Holly’s eyes is like looking at Jane,” Tracy told the Daily Telegraph this week.
“Holly works in cancer research now. James has just qualified as an electrician. She would be so proud of them. And she would be proud of my girls too.”
After Jane passed away in 2008 following a 10-year battle with breast cancer, Glenn later met his now-wife Sara, who Tracy credits with playing an important role in the children’s lives.
“They are amazing kids, and a lot of that is because of Sara,” she told the publication.
“She has kept them grounded and loved. I am so grateful to Sara and Glenn because I know how happy Jane would be knowing how loved they are.”
In 2022, Holly spoke about her relationship with her step-mother, reflecting on the support Sara provided during a difficult period.
“I can’t even imagine what it would be like to come into a relationship knowing that you’re taking on not just the man but also two kids as well,” she told the ABC’s Australian Story at the time.
“From the first day I met her, she was always so kind and caring,” she continued. “She kind of knew what we needed at the time.
“You can tell that she’s Italian, like she runs a tight ship and that was good. We needed that.”
The McGrath Foundation continues to fund breast care nurses across Australia through donations and through the annual Pink Test. Both Holly and James have become more involved in the foundation’s work, along with Sara.
“I don’t remember much about my mum. I was pretty young. But I think that makes me kind of cherish the memories that I do have a bit more,” Holly told Australian Story.
“I really do see the Foundation as a way of keeping my mum’s memory and her legacy and what she wanted to do alive.”
Sara also spoke about the impact of Jane’s story and the way the foundation continues that work.
“Did I understand Jane’s legacy?” Sara added on the program. “Certainly not from afar, but after being here and seeing the impact that she’d had on people with sharing her story, I understand why Australia had so much respect and love for her.
“Nobody lived it like Jane and Glenn did. It’s their life. It’s the legacy of Jane, it will be the legacy of Glenn and it will be the legacy of James, of Holly and of Madison as well. So it is a privilege to be involved with the foundation.”
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