Kilcoy's 'pink man' fights for cancer care nurses across regional Australia

Harold Alford, a local legend in Queensland's Kilcoy, has become a familiar figure in the town, known affectionately as the "pink man". His dedication to raising awareness for cancer care has inspired a community to come together and support a worthy cause.

Harold's journey with cancer has been a long and personal one. He has lost his father and wife to the disease, and his daughter has been battling cancer for 10 years. His wife, Gladys, was diagnosed with breast cancer 33 years ago and underwent eight years of chemotherapy, multiple operations, and 35 consecutive days of radiation. Harold drove Gladys to Brisbane hospital for radiation every day, and her passing on their 44th wedding anniversary sparked an idea that would change the remainder of his years.

"Every day I drove her to Brisbane for radiation," Harold said. "They wanted us to stay down there, but she was really old-fashioned, wanted to sleep in her own bed."

Harold started wearing pink to raise awareness about breast cancer, and it quickly became a part of his identity. He donned pink clothes, a pink Akubra, pink gumboots, and even a pink walking frame. "I started wearing pink because I wanted to get the message out there about breast cancer," Harold said. "And at that time, pink was the colour for breast cancer."

Harold's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Michelle Blogg, president of Pink Up Kilcoy, met Harold 10 years ago and was inspired by his story. "He's such a character in the community and he's one of nature's true gentlemen as well," she said. "He's just an amazing guy."

Through Pink Up Kilcoy, the community has raised about $30,000 for cancer care nurses through the McGrath Foundation. Harold's mission has united the town, and his dedication has inspired others to get involved. "When you've got cancer, you need help," Harold said. "I'm trying to get people to think about it, see if they can do something to raise money to any way they can help to get a cure for cancer."

McGrath Foundation ambassador and director, Tracey Bevan, said nearly one in two Australians were likely to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. "That's 450 people every single day," she said. Ms Bevan said Harold's mission epitomised what the foundation stood for, and his efforts were making a real difference.

Harold was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in December last year and was given 12 months to live. He has opted out of chemotherapy or any other cancer treatment, choosing instead to "get out there and live". "I couldn't see myself making myself sick for three weeks every month," Harold said. "I'm not that sort of person."

As Harold continues to advocate for better cancer care across regional Australia, he remains committed to his cause. "We need people who can care for people in their homes without them having to drive for hundreds of kilometres," he said. "People out in the west, they got no facilities out there for cancer. It's going to be too late for me, I know that, but I will do everything in my power while I'm alive to help to get cancer care nurses."