In an exciting and emotional initiative for 2017, Nine has united with the NRL, Fox League, Macquarie Radio Network and the Mark Hughes Foundation ahead of Beanie for Brain Cancer Round this weekend during Round 11 of the NRL season.
This year’s Beanie for Brain Cancer Campaign urges fans to buy an MHF Beanie at selected NRL matches, with the aim of raising $500,000 to fund a three-year research fellowship in another brain cancer research area. Fellowships such as these are a game-changer, advancing this area of brain cancer research and supporting a talented, highly qualified medical researcher.
MHF Beanies can be purchased at the Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders, Round 11 clash at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 20 May. Click through to purchase tickets to the clash.
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. 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,” Callander said.
Mark Hughes Foundation ambassador and former Newcastle Knights premiership-winning captain, Paul “The Chief” Harragon, will be rallying 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.”
Current Executive Producer of the Logie Award-winning NRL Footy Show, Glenn Pallister, who has pulled the concept together in combination with Callander, said: “After launching the initiative on The Footy Show last Thursday we have been blown away by the reaction and support so far, and we are not even into the round yet.
“I would implore people to have a crack at one of the sensational auction items we are offering, including Johnathan Thurston’s signed boots, buy a beanie or just make a donation, because we need to fund more research into this insidious disease immediately.”
A host of generous donations have been made already, starting with $25,000 from Hugh Marks and Nine Entertainment Co. before another $25,000 from David Gyngell. McDonald’s has contributed $10,000 while Sportsbet will donate $1000 for every try scored in Round 11 this weekend. The average so far this year is 53 tries a round.
Donate here.
Bid for an auction item here.
· Johnathan Thurston’s signed boots from when he scored his 2000th point
· Mount Everest base camp 12-day trek for two
· Three-night oceanview room onboard a P&0 cruise
· NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final experience
Ritchie’s Supa IGA Stores: MHF beanies will also be on sale at all stores in NSW and QLD this week. Buy an MHF beanie here and search Ritchie’s IGA stores
