Mark Hughes Foundation
The Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) was established by Mark and Kirralee Hughes after Mark’s diagnosis with high-grade brain cancer in 2013. With the support of friends, family, and teammates from the Newcastle Knights, MHF was officially launched in 2014.
MHF’s primary goal is to raise vital funds for research, increase awareness, and provide support to brain cancer patients and their families. Shockingly, someone is diagnosed with brain cancer every five hours, making it the leading cause of death among both children and adults under 40. Despite this, brain cancer receives less than 5% of federal government cancer research funding.
As MHF marks its 10-year anniversary this year, there is anticipation and excitement for the future. The Foundation is committed to leveraging its resources and focusing on research to beat brain cancer.
To date, MHF has achieved remarkable success, raising close to $30 million. In 2022, a significant milestone was reached with the announcement of a $25 million Brain Cancer Research Centre at the University of Newcastle. The establishment of the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research marks a significant advancement in brain cancer research within Australia.
The Centre is poised to become a focal point for brain cancer research, with a dedicated team driving critical research, education, and healthcare improvements on a national scale. This initiative aims to benefit brain cancer patients, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike.
In addition to The Centre, MHF has contributed towards the advancement of brain cancer research by the funding of multiple Fellowships, Innovation Grants, PhD Projects, travel grants nationally and overseas and the establishment of a Brain Cancer Biobank. MHF is also part of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission, on numerous Collaborative Committees across Australia and Overseas and our proudest achievement to date is the implementation of Brain Cancer Care Coordinators in rural and regional health districts in NSW which ensures improved care and support for individuals affected by brain cancer across diverse geographical areas.
