Beanie for Brain Cancer

BUY A BEANIE HELP BEAT BRAIN CANCER

Beanie for Brain Cancer

BUY A BEANIE. HELP BEAT BRAIN CANCER.

Our Famous Magic Ball

Prepare to be captivated by Miami Nights at the 2025 MHF Magic Ball

Join us on 16 August at NEX, Newcastle for an electrifying evening featuring premium food & wine, world class entertainment, and exclusive auction prizes. This is one of the most anticipated events on the Hunter’s calendar, all in support of the Mark Hughes Foundation. Tickets are $235 each or $2300 for a table of 10. Mark your calendars NOW!! Tickets go on sale at 10am Tuesday, 6 May 2025. See you under the neon lights.

Thank you to our major sponsors – Avery, AHA Newcastle & Hunter and The MacDougall Foundation. We look forward to an unforgettable evening, all dedicated to supporting MHF patients and their families while driving crucial research into brain cancer. 

Mark HUghes Foundation

BEATING BRAIN CANCER IS WITHIN OUR POWER

Our News

Keep up to date with latest news by MHF

Stay up to date with all the latest news by Mark Hughes Foundation. 

June 25, 2025

NRL Launch Beanie for Brain Cancer Round

Full Media Release The Mark Hughes Foundation will team up with the National Rugby League to charge into the ninth annual Beanie
June 23, 2025

The Big Three Trek: A Journey Fuelled by Heart, Hope and Unbreakable Spirit

The Big Three Trek isn’t just a walk—it’s a movement. A 150km journey over just three days from NRL headquarters in Moore
June 20, 2025

Buy 2, Get 1 Free!

NRL Beanie Round is almost here which is the perfect time to rally your club, school or workplace to join the fight
June 20, 2025

Big beanie day at the Bar on the Hill

The Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research took to the Bar on the Hill at the University of Newcastle on

Ladies NZ Southern Alps Challenge

This April the ladies of MHF will embark on an 8-day trek through New Zealand’s rugged Southern Alps to raise funds for brain cancer research and patient care.
This extraordinary journey will take our group of 20 ladies to some of the most remote and breathtaking locations in the region. They’ll hike through the dramatic landscapes of the Hooker Glacier, scale the sheer ice walls of Mt. Sefton, and take in the awe-inspiring views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The trek will continue over Rocky Mountain, to the summit of Ben Lomond Saddle, before descending into Queenstown.

Our Stories

EVERY ONE OF THE 2000 BRAIN CANCER PATIENTS DIAGNOSED EACH YEAR and those connected to our cause have a STORY

Some are difficult to read, some hard to even imagine, some are uplifting and some tragic – but every one of them is inspiring.

HOPE

by Maddy Callander. HOPE. It’s nothing we can see or measure but it’s something we all carry. It’s something we believe

For Penny: Meg Nagle’s Mission to Beat Brain Cancer

This year, one of the featured faces of our Beanie for Brain Cancer campaign is Meg Nagle along with her partner,

Sholto’s Story: Sharon’s Hope

‘On June 4th, 2018, our world shifted. My husband Sholto McKeown — father to Australian Dolphins Swim Team sisters Taylor and

Garth’s Story

So Thursday December 14, 2023 sort of seemed like any day to me. Except for something really different. I had slept

Mark Hughes Foundation Beanie for Brain Cancer

When my wife Kirralee and I set up the Mark Hughes Foundation we wanted to make a difference, and make a difference fast! When you live with brain cancer you really appreciate how precious time is. We have to make every minute count. We wanted to raise money for research – FAST. Kiz suggested we sell beanies as a lot of brain cancer patients wear beanies to cover scars, bandages, loss of hair and just to keep warm. Thus “Beanie for Brain Cancer” was born in 2014.

Mark Hughes Foundation Major Events

Beating brain cancer will take the power of your support.

Community fundraising helps us raise vital funds to support brain cancer patients, raise awareness about brain cancer and raise funds for research to find a cure. We have now made it even easier for you to support us.

NRL Round

NRL Round

One of the highlights on the National Rugby League calendar is the annual NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which invites the wider rugby league community to join the Mark Hughes Foundation on their quest to tackle brain cancer.

Read More

Magic Ball

Magic Ball

Our MHF Magic Ball is one of the most sought after tickets in town, and has grown into one of the most anticipated Black tie gala events in the Hunter region annually. Featuring premium cuisine and wines, high calibre entertainment, captivating themes, celebrity MCs, and prestigious auction items, it promises an unforgettable evening, all dedicated to supporting MHF patients and their families while driving crucial research into brain cancer. Mark your calendars for the 9th MHF Magic Ball, set to grace NEX, Newcastle, on August 16, 2025.

Read More

Adventure Treks

Adventure Treks

During the early afternoon hours of Christmas Day in 2015 one of Marks great mates, Billy Peden, decided he wanted to make a difference! He called Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon that afternoon and the MHF Adventure Treks were born. At the time, neither of them would have realised that this was the start of what would become an annual life changing event raising millions of dollars for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Since 2016, there have been eight adventure treks all around the world raising over $4.3 million so far to support brain cancer patients and their families.

Read More

Beanie For Brain Cancer

Beanie For Brain Cancer

When my wife Kirralee and I set up the Mark Hughes Foundation we wanted to make a difference, and make a difference fast! When you live with brain cancer you really appreciate how precious time is. We have to make every minute count. We wanted to raise money for research – FAST. Kiz suggested we sell beanies as a lot of brain cancer patients wear beanies to cover scars, bandages, loss of hair and just to keep warm. Thus "Beanie for Brain Cancer" was born in 2014.

Read More

MHF Major Events

Beating brain cancer will take the power of your support.

Community fundraising helps us raise vital funds to support brain cancer patients, raise awareness about brain cancer and raise funds for research to find a cure. We have now made it even easier for you to support us.

Beanie For Brain Cancer

Beanie For Brain Cancer

When my wife Kirralee and I set up the Mark Hughes Foundation we wanted to make a difference, and make a difference fast! When you live with brain cancer you really appreciate how precious time is. We have to make every minute count. We wanted to raise money for research – FAST. Kiz suggested we sell beanies as a lot of brain cancer patients wear beanies to cover scars, bandages, loss of hair and just to keep warm. Thus "Beanie for Brain Cancer" was born in 2014.

Read More

Adventure Treks

Adventure Treks

During the early afternoon hours of Christmas Day in 2015 one of Marks great mates, Billy Peden, decided he wanted to make a difference! He called Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon that afternoon and the MHF Adventure Treks were born. At the time, neither of them would have realised that this was the start of what would become an annual life changing event raising millions of dollars for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Since 2016, there have been eight adventure treks all around the world raising over $4.3 million so far to support brain cancer patients and their families.

Read More

Magic Ball

Magic Ball

Our MHF Magic Ball is one of the most sought after tickets in town, and has grown into one of the most anticipated Black tie gala events in the Hunter region annually. Featuring premium cuisine and wines, high calibre entertainment, captivating themes, celebrity MCs, and prestigious auction items, it promises an unforgettable evening, all dedicated to supporting MHF patients and their families while driving crucial research into brain cancer. Mark your calendars for the 9th MHF Magic Ball, set to grace NEX, Newcastle, on August 16, 2025.

Read More

NRL Round

NRL Round

One of the highlights on the National Rugby League calendar is the annual NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which invites the wider rugby league community to join the Mark Hughes Foundation on their quest to tackle brain cancer.

Read More

BEATING BRAIN Cancer will take the power of research

We believe that with the power of research, innovation, compassion and collaboration, together, we can beat brain cancer.

MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research

The Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative research centre which brings together scientists and clinicians, consumers and patient care professionals and builds on the University of Newcastle’s established and dynamic cancer research ecosystem and world-class technology, spaces and infrastructure.

Through collaboration and partnership with our community and like-minded national and international organisations, the Centre will drive world-leading research programs to improve the lives of people with brain cancer today and increase survival rates in the future.

We are taking action and bringing together the best experts in the field to advance brain cancer research to achieve the greatest impact for brain tumour patients.

MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research

The Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative research centre which brings together scientists and clinicians, consumers and patient care professionals and builds on the University of Newcastle’s established and dynamic cancer research ecosystem and world-class technology, spaces and infrastructure.

Through collaboration and partnership with our community and like-minded national and international organisations, the Centre will drive world-leading research programs to improve the lives of people with brain cancer today and increase survival rates in the future.

We are taking action and bringing together the best experts in the field to advance brain cancer research to achieve the greatest impact for brain tumour patients.

Our Events

Find an event to attend near you

Stay up to date with all the latest events by Mark Hughes Foundation. 

15 - 27 June

Running for Brain Cancer Research

Scott Hingston will be running from Melbourne to Newcastle in 12 days.
Saturday & Sunday |  05 July - 06 July

Gold Coast Marathon

Celebrate the 45th edition of the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon
Friday |  27 June

MHF Beanie for Brain Cancer Charity Golf Day

Swing for a cause and help raise much needed funds to find a cure to brain cancer!
Friday |  25 July

MHF Patient Forum

A special event for primary brain cancer patients and their carers to come together, connect, and share.

Donate today & help beat brain cancer

Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children, and adults aged under 40 in Australia, yet alarmingly very little is known about brain cancer, its causes or how it is treated.

That’s why we need your help. Every dollar helps in the fight against brain cancer. Your donation will go towards vital research to improve patient treatments and, hopefully, find a cure one day.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Donate today, help beat brain cancer

Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children, and adults aged under 40 in Australia, yet alarmingly very little is known about brain cancer, its causes or how it is treated.

That’s why we need your help. Every dollar helps in the fight against brain cancer. Your donation will go towards vital research to improve patient treatments and, hopefully, find a cure one day.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

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