Mark Hughes Celebrates $29 Million Raised Through NRL’s Beanie For Brain Cancer Round – Rugby league legend Mark Hughes has revealed the NRL’s Beanie for Brain Cancer Round has raised an astonishing $29 million for brain cancer research, describing the initiative as a “game changer” in the fight against the disease.
Speaking on The Agenda Setters: Rugby League, Hughes reflected on the impact of the annual fundraising campaign, which began nine years ago and has transformed awareness and research funding for brain cancer in Australia.
“Nine years ago, the NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer round started, and that was the game changer,” Hughes said.
“That has changed everything for this disease.
“In the last nine Beanie for Brain Cancer rounds, we’ve made an astonishing $29 million, just under $30 million.
“And that’s not to talk about the awareness and the exposure and everything that we’re getting off that. It’s been an unbelievable game changer for this disease.”
Former NRL star Luke Keary congratulated Hughes on the initiative and asked whether there had been any significant breakthroughs through the Mark Hughes Foundation’s work.
Hughes said the organisation had already committed $10 million to innovation grants and was optimistic some projects would soon move into clinical trials.
“We’ve given out $10 million in innovation grants, and we’re hoping and it’s looking like some of those will go to clinical trials,” Hughes said.
“The goal for us is getting these good ideas, getting these findings, and getting them into the community because that’s who needs our help.
“So whilst we haven’t got the cure yet, there’s so much excitement around brain cancer now. We’ve got 47 researchers at the Brain Cancer Centre now.”
The Beanie for Brain Cancer Round has become one of the NRL’s most recognisable annual initiatives, raising both crucial funds and awareness for brain cancer research and support services across Australia.
Hughes’ comments came during an appearance on The Agenda Setters: Rugby League, where he discussed the ongoing work of the Mark Hughes Foundation and the progress being made in brain cancer research.
The Agenda Setters: Rugby League airs on Seven and streams on 7plus.
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Mark Hughes Celebrates $29 Million Raised Through NRL’s Beanie For Brain Cancer Round
