Brain cancer kills more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer, survival rates have increased just one per cent over the last 30 years and only two in 10 people diagnosed will survive more than five years.
Coming up to the two-year anniversary of her sister losing her battle with the disease at age 44, Kristy says they are a family on a mission with another sister in Queensland, Alison’s daughters in Newcastle and her own family doing all they can to raise funds through the sale of beanies and scarves provided through the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Mark was a professional Newcastle Knights player in the 1990s and 2000s who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013 and his fight continues.
To date, the foundation has raised over $20 million and supports multiple research projects around Australia.
And over $7,000 of that total has been raised by Kristy herself – just this year.
“My daughters, aged eight and 11, last year raised $8,000 between them after donating their hair to be made into wigs for child cancer sufferers,” she said.
“No one is safe from this disease; it takes the good and you never know when you or a family member may be affected.”
Selling the beanies and scarves at football and netball games, Kristy says they are also available for sale from IGA and Lowes Menswear.
To find out more and order a beanie or scarf, go to markhughesfoundation.com.au.
