The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) is standing tall alongside the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) in support of this week’s Beanie for Brain Cancer round.
Sunday’s NSWRL’s Fox League-televised Intrust Super Premiership NSW match between Newcastle and Penrith will help raise awareness for brain cancer, with all players walking out onto McDonald Jones Stadium wearing the specially designed headwear, where the fundraising beanies are also for sale.
This year’s Beanie for Brain Cancer Campaign aims to raise $500,000 to fund a three-year research fellowship in another brain cancer research area. This fellowship will enable a doctor to focus on and dedicate time to brain cancer research, collaborating with other researchers in laboratories, conducting clinical trials and caring for their own cancer patients.
The concept was the creation of former NRL Footy Show and Nine NRL Executive Producer Matt Callander, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016.
“Brain cancer kills more children than any other disease. It kills more adults under 40 than any other cancer,” Callander said.
“Survival rates have hardly changed in 30 years, but despite all this brain cancer receives less than five per cent of Federal Government cancer research funding. These are the facts, and it’s time for a change.”
Mark Hughes Foundation ambassador and NSW True Blue Paul Harragon is urging the Rugby League community to get behind the cause this week.
“This is a very important initiative to raise awareness and funds, which are absolutely vital when it comes to the pursuit of better treatments, remedies and ultimately a cure for brain cancer,” Harragon said.
“Matt Callander and Mark Hughes are very dear friends of mine and both are fighting brain cancer. It’s very endearing that Matt Callander, who came up with the concept, wanted all monies raised to go through the Mark Hughes Foundation.
“But they won't be alone, because the whole Rugby League community will be behind them in this Round 11 celebration of mateship.”
NSW True Blue Brett Kimmorley is another legend of the game who has been touched by brain cancer, tragically losing his wife and the mother of their four daughters, Sharnie.
To donate and for more details, including a range of auction items to bid on, head to www.markhughesfoundation.com.au
Fans can also purchase beanies at the following NSWRL and NRL matches throughout Round 11 (18 – 21 May):
Sharks vs. Cowboys (Southern Cross Group Stadium)
Broncos vs. Tigers (Suncorp Stadium)
Eels vs. Raiders (ANZ Stadium)
Knights vs. Panthers (McDonald Jones Stadium)
Bulldogs vs. Roosters (ANZ Stadium)
Social tag: #MHFBeanie
