Jodie McRae

Jodie McCrae was a single mother who owned five successful small businesses in the Lismore and surrounding area. Jodie was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of triple negative breast cancer in May 2013. After being told she was cancer free in December 2013, Jodie was subsequently diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in September 2014.

Despite a poor prognosis she founded Jodie's Inspiration, a not-for-profit organisation. She raised over $100,000 from her first fundraiser and purchased two cold cap therapy machines for a local oncology unit so that patients were given the opportunity to prevent chemotherapy hair loss.

Jodie’s relentless public education assisted local women in finding cancerous breast lumps early. Jodie provided support through fundraisers, technological resources and emotional guidance for cancer sufferers. Her well-respected community profile and impressive business acumen stemmed from her kind nature to selflessly give back to the community time and time again.

Sadly, Jodie passed away on 1 October 2016, shortly after winning this Award.