There may be uncertainty surrounding the NRL's Beanies for Brain Cancer round this year with the competition still on hold but it won't stop the Mark Hughes Foundation from continuing their remarkable beanie fundraising efforts.
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The Foundation, which has raised $18 million since it was kicked off in 2014 to fund brain cancer research, has given the Newcastle Herald an exclusive sneak peek at their 2020 beanie range that will go on sale from June 1.
For the first time, there will be kids' beanies available as well as male and female versions with Newcastle Knights prop David Klemmer and his three boys Cooper, Jaxon and DJ trying them on for size for our photo. Foundation head Mark Hughes said he is yet to receive any confirmation from the NRL regarding the now annual beanie round and whether it will still go ahead in what will be a shortened 20 round competition disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
But whether it is given the green light or not won't stop the fund-raising drive with 150,000 beanies having already been produced.
"The beanie round was originally set down for round 19 [July 23-26] but we obviously haven't pushed it with the NRL given everything that has happened as they have plenty of more important things to worry about," Mr Hughes said.
"We'll wait and see on that but irrespective, we'll still have the beanies for sale from June 1 and while we are fully aware and appreciate that people obviously have a lot on their plate right now with this virus. we'd really love to get everyone's support again. The support we have had has been unbelievable since we kicked it off."
The former Knights dual premiership-winner, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2013 before having a avocado-sized tumour removed a few weeks later, said the search for a cure continues.
Brain cancer kills more kids than any other disease yet only attracts 5 percent of Federal government cancer funding with more than 1200 Australians dying each year.
"The thing is brain cancer doesn't stop," Mr Hughes said.
"People will be diagnosed this week, people are going to pass away this week and we need answers. The Foundation has a lot of momentum, all starting here in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley and we have to keep it going.
"We made a promise to brain cancer patients and their families to hopefully one day find a cure for brain cancer by raising vital funds for research and we intend to keep that promise."
The Foundation's fund-raising efforts have already been hampered this year with the annual Mark Hughes Foundation Magic Ball called off due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will return in 2021.
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