Beanies, beanies and more beanies!!!
Tonight at 4 Pines Park, Sea Eagles Members and supporters will be able to support the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) by buying a beanie as part of the annual NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round that aims to raise money for brain cancer research.
The Sea Eagles players have been proudly wearing their beanies all week and will do so again tonight when they run out for the match against the Melbourne Storm.
Supporters can buy their beanies tonight at the Pine Avenue Gates and Western Concourse. Volunteers will also walk through the hospitality areas of 4 Pines Park.
The Sea Eagles will also welcome Mark Hughes and the MHF volunteers to 4 Pines Park.
The Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) hopes to raise $3 million and sell 175,000 beanies during this year’s Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which will see players, Clubs, fans and broadcasters Channel Nine and Fox Sports come together for an important cause.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round grows every year thanks to the support of the Rugby League community.
“Mark Hughes played rugby league with great spirit, but it has been his spirit in fighting and beating brain cancer and then setting up the Mark Hughes Foundation to help save lives that is inspiring,” Mr Abdo said.
“Every year everyone in the game gets behind this cause with passion.
“More than $15 million dollars has been raised over five seasons of the Beanie for Brain Cancer round.
“The sight of the thousands of supporters at games wearing the Mark Hughes Foundation beanies has become a tradition and is symbolic of everyone’s support for the fight against brain cancer.”
The 2022 Beanie for Brain Cancer Round was launched to coincide with the start of ‘The Big Three’ trek - 45 trekkers walking from NRL Headquarters in Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle across three days raising funds and awareness for MHF.
The MHF has now committed $15 million over five years to establish a dedicated research team and centre, while the University of Newcastle has contributed $10 million to the project.
“This is a game changing step for brain cancer research in Australia and something we have been working towards since 2014. More progress is urgently needed to improve the outlook for brain cancer patients – who are often in the prime of their lives, like myself – and their families,” Mark Hughes said.
“We will leave no stone unturned, we must get results as the clock is ticking for so many Australians.
“To every single person that has supported MHF and bought a beanie over the last eight years, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. We are giving hope to so many, including myself.”
In Australia, Brain Cancer kills more children than any other disease and more people under 40 than any other cancer. Supporters are being urged to help raise much needed funds by buying a beanie or donating to the Mark Hughes Foundation. More information is available at markhughesfoundation.com.au.
Beanies will be available online from all Lowes Australia stores, participating NSW/QLD/ACT IGA Australia stores or online at www.markhughesfoundation.com.au.
Brain Cancer statistics
- Survival rates have increased by 1% over the last 30 years
- Kills more children than any other disease
- Only 2/10 people diagnosed will live more than 5 years
- Kills more people under 40 than any other cancer
- Receives less than 5% of federal funding for cancer research
- One person every 5 hours is diagnosed in Australia
