Written by Kylie Stopp
Why am I taking on the Mark Hughes Foundation’s Inaugural Ladies Everest Base Camp Trek?
For me, this journey is so much more than climbing a mountain.
It is a journey of honour, hope, resilience and remembrance. It is a journey that has been shaped by the people I have loved, the people I have lost, and the people who continue to fight every day against brain cancer.
My story began long before I ever dreamed of standing beneath Mount Everest.
In December 2005, my beautiful mum received a life-altering diagnosis of Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). She was given a prognosis of just 9–14 months.
Mum underwent brain surgery, radiation and intense chemotherapy. We made the most of the good days and tried to hide our tears on the bad ones. Sadly, after a 10-month battle, and only five days shy of her 68th birthday, Mum grew her Angel Wings.
Kylie (left) with her mum, and her nephew Jacob with her mum.
I never imagined that, 17 years later, brain cancer would once again touch our family so profoundly.
On 26 July 2023, my then 27-year-old nephew, Jake, was airlifted from Broken Hill Hospital to the Royal Adelaide Hospital after scans revealed a 7cm brain tumour.
Jake was diagnosed with a rare Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour (ATRT).
What followed was an incredibly difficult journey of intense radiation, endless rounds of chemotherapy and two surgeries to remove tumours.
Jake was so much more than his diagnosis. He was a much-loved son, brother, nephew, grandson and friend. He was funny, kind, resilient and loved by so many.
For 948 days, Jake fought his battle.
On 28 February 2026, just three days shy of his 30th birthday, his hard-fought battle came to an end. Jake grew his Angel Wings. He will be Forever 29.
“To the world they are just one, but to us they are the world.”
A story of mateship with Quinn & Jimmy…
On 8 November 2025, two ‘A’ Grade footballers from the Hummocks Watchman Eagles Football Club, decided to put their hair on the line for a cause very close to our community — “Head Shave for Jacob.”
Held at the Rising Sun Hotel in Port Wakefield, these two absolute legends lost their locks for a fabulous cause and raised an incredible $17,880 for Port Wakefield’s Jacob Olsen and the Mark Hughes Foundation.
The night was an enormous success. The successful bidders who got the clipper honours were:
- Mick & Pat Cicolella — $2,500 for Quinn’s hair
- Lesley Curry — $3,000 for Jimmy’s hair
- Hayden Cock — $1,000 for Quinn’s eyebrows!
- Dylan Stodart & Brad Higgs — $2,000 for Jimmy’s moustache
The Rising Sun Hotel Social Club kicked things off with a $500 donation, followed by another $3,250 through the hat and raffle donations. Of the money raised that night, $12,250 went directly to Jake, helping support him on his journey and allowing him to tick some things off his bucket list.
I will never forget the generosity, love and community spirit behind that night.
Kylie’s nephew Jacob with mates Quinn and Jimmy during the Head Shave for Jacob.
Then, the very next day…
On 9 November 2025, the Mark Hughes Foundation’s Inaugural Ladies Everest Base Camp Trek appeared on my Facebook feed.
I don’t know exactly what made me stop and read it. Maybe it was the timing. Maybe it was everything Jake had been fighting. Maybe it was my Mum. Maybe it was the little voice inside me saying, “This is something you need to do.” Whatever it was, I felt compelled to apply. And that’s how A Journey of Honour & Hope began.
Why this trek?
Everest Base Camp is more than a destination.
It is a test of endurance, mental strength, resilience and determination. It is about taking one step at a time, even when the road ahead seems impossible.
And that is something I have learned from both Mum and Jake.
The trek represents so much more than standing at the foot of the world’s highest mountain. It is about the people I will meet, the friendships we will form, the stories we will share and the challenges we will overcome together.
It is about discovering that sometimes “impossible” can become “I’m possible.”
Every step I take towards Everest will carry meaning. Some steps will be for Mum. Some will be for Jake. Some will be for the families who are currently sitting beside hospital beds, waiting for answers. And some will be for the people who have lost someone they love to this devastating disease.
My Hope
I am taking this journey to honour those who have sadly lost their battle with brain cancer, and to give hope to those who are still fighting.
I want to help shine a light on brain cancer and support the incredible work of the Mark Hughes Foundation, whose mission is to improve outcomes for people affected by brain cancer and ultimately help find a cure. My ultimate dream is to not only find a cure but to one day see a sea of MHF Beanies for Brain Cancer beanies fill the next State of Origin game held here at Adelaide Oval. 40,000 plus NSW and Qld fans all united for a cause in an AFL dominated state.
Because behind every statistic is a person. A mum. A dad. A son. A daughter. A brother. A sister. An aunty. An uncle. A nephew. A friend or a colleague. Someones whole world.
My world has already lost two very special people to brain cancer. But I don’t want their stories to end with loss. I want their stories to become part of something bigger.
So, as I take on this incredible challenge, I will carry Mum and Jake with me — in my heart, in my thoughts and in every single step towards Everest Base Camp.
This is A Journey of Honour & Hope.
A journey to honour those we have lost.
A journey to give HOPE to those still fighting.
A journey to raise awareness.
A journey to raise vital funds for research.
And a journey to believe that together, we CAN find a cure and beat brain cancer.
For Mum.
For Jake.
For every family affected by brain cancer.
For hope.
SUPPORT KYLIE’S JOURNEY
Join Kylie in turning remembrance into action. Your donation will honour their memory and support the Mark Hughes Foundation’s fight against brain cancer.
