Round 16 marks this year's Beanie for Brain Cancer campaign, led by the Mark Hughes Foundation, and the Gold Coast Titans are joining the cause in conjunction with the NRL.
One person every five hours is diagnosed with brain cancer in Australia, and the opportunity to help raise awareness about the disease has Titans hard man Beau Fermor excited and determined.
"It will be awesome to go down to Newcastle and play where it all started. They really get around the Beanies for Brain Cancer Round and to play the game where I started my career will be great," Fermor said.
"They love their footy down in Newcastle and always create a great atmosphere there. Hopefully everyone can get out and buy a beanie to support the cause."
Beanies for Brain Cancer Round touches all areas of the NRL community, and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is proud of the growing reach the campaign has, with over $15 million dollars raised over five seasons.
"Every year, everyone in the game gets behind this cause with passion," Abdo said.
"The sight of thousands of supporters at games wearing the Mark Hughes Foundation beanies has become a tradition and is symbolic of everyone’s support for the fight against brain cancer."
Various parties across the rugby league community and beyond have come together to combat the disease. The University of Newcastle and the MHF have together committed $25 million dollars to establish a research centre in Newcastle, whilst a group of 45 trekkers have embarked on a walk from NRL headquarters in Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium across three days to raise funds and awareness.
Sportsbet will also commit $1000 for every try scored in Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.
More information about the efforts to combat brain cancer can be found here.
Be sure to buy a beanie to wear when the Titans take on the Knights at 6pm on Friday to support the MHF in their fight against brain cancer.
Beanies are available at all participating Lowes and IGA stores or online here.
