A Beacon of Hope: Mark and Kirralee are pushing the boundaries to fight Brain Cancer

In 2013, at the age of 36 with three children under ten, Mark Hughes - a fit and healthy former National Rugby League (NRL) professional - became a high-grade brain cancer patient, after two days of suffering from a headache.

Through his own experience in the recovery bed, Mark and his wife Kirralee Hughes knew they needed to make some changes for brain cancer patients. They realised how underfunded and under-researched brain cancer was - in fact, survival rates for patients haven’t improved in 30 years. Fuelled by their determination to make a difference, they founded The Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) – a national non-profit aimed to raise funds, promote awareness, and offer support to those afflicted by this formidable disease.

To raise awareness and funding for greater research into this disease, Mark and Kirralee decided to sell beanies - a nod to when Mark started wearing beanies when he started to lose his hair during treatment. The initiative started as a small “Beanie for Brain Cancer” fundraiser in local schools but soon attracted national attention through the support of the NRL - a game-changer for the Foundation.

“We thought, if we can get a few schools involved, that would be amazing. Students could wear their favourite beanie and bring a gold coin donation. We saw their excitement and then it grew and gained momentum – we raised $30,000 from a few local schools. From there, the NRL jumped on board and took us to a national level.”

Raising close to $30 million in 10 years, Mark and Kirralee’s dedication has not only elevated this important cause, but their support has become a pillar of strength for countless families facing this devastating disease.

In early 2021, the University of Newcastle and the MHF joined forces with the Foundation contributing $7.5 million to establish the Mark Hughes Foundation Chair in Brain Cancer, along with an interdisciplinary research team and a dedicated research fund.

However, it had always been the aspiration of the Foundation to establish a Centre for Research to truly bring about transformative change. In June 2022, that dream came to life as the MHF and the University unveiled the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research. This momentous occasion was marked by a combined contribution of $25 million, with $15 million from the MHF and $10 million in-kind support from the University.

“The MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research at the University of Newcastle was established about two years ago and led by Chair and Director, Professor Mike Fay, has been a game changer for brain cancer. The amazing team are collaborating with researchers across the country.”

Today, the MHF Centre’s dedicated brain cancer team is driving critical research, education, and healthcare improvements at a national scale for brain cancer patients, their families and carers, and health professionals.

This partnership is a testament to Mark and Kirralee's confidence in the University of Newcastle and their determination to see breakthroughs in brain cancer research for the thousands of Australians impacted each year. Their shared goal of Better, Healthier Living was embodied in the Centre's mission to improve the lives and health outcomes of those affected by brain cancer.

"We’re in the right place at the University of Newcastle. We’ve got the right people around us so we’re going to create some real history and we will have better outcomes, better medicines, better treatments but most of all, our end goal, which I believe will happen at some point, will be that we do find a cure for brain cancer.”

Mark and Kirralee's vision and their foundation's commitment to collaboration and community engagement are akin to the University's strategic priorities and values. Today, the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research not only stands as a testament to their generosity but as a beacon of hope for thousands of families affected by this relentless disease.

“It’s not hard to bounce out of bed and fight when the stakes are so high. We’re fighting for life here – for me, and so many others. But with my partner by my side, with our amazing team, volunteers, and the community – some magic will happen.”

With Mark and Kirralee Hughes leading the charge, the future holds the promise of a world without brain cancer.

“We just keep pushing the boundaries. We’re not going to find better treatments for brain cancer without collaboration. We want things to happen, and we want them to happen now.”