Q & A WITH MARK HUGHES

B&L : Congratulations Mark on the outstanding success of The Mark Hughes Foundation. What inspired you to start the Foundation?

MARK : I was diagnosed with high grade brain cancer in 2013. With a wife and 3 small children my life flashed before my eyes and at that moment Kirralee and I decided we couldn’t sit back and had to make a difference. MHF was launched in March 2014 while I was going through chemotherapy and it astonishes me how far we have come in that time.

B&L : Can you tell us when the idea was actually conceived?

MARK : Kirralee and I actually started discussing setting up a foundation whilst I was still in the hospital after surgery. After googling the statistics on brain cancer we knew this was a journey we had to take.

B&L : Your foundation has helped many brain cancer patients. How does that make you feel?

MARK : The greatest thing we can do is to give patients hope. We have invested millions into research and funded brain cancer care nurses in the Hunter Regional and rural NSW. The care nurses are absolute angels to patients and their families going through what would be the toughest times of their lives. It costs a lot of money to fund these nurses but they are worth every cent.

B&L : Your wife Kirralee is a big part of the foundation. How does she feel about the work and results the foundation has achieved?

MARK : Kirralee and I have always made a great team and we were always in this together. We are both so proud of what we have achieved together and so grateful for the support, however we also know that so much more is needed and we won’t rest until we find better treatments for those diagnosed with brain cancer.

B&L : You were only 36 when you were diagnosed with brain Cancer and your children were very young. How did you explain the situation to your children and how did they react?

MARK : Our 3 children were all under 10 when I was first diagnosed and we did and still do to this day focus on what we are doing to make a difference. They know that I get scans every 4 months to check that I am still healthy and that the foundation plays a big role in giving us hope for the future.

B&L : Your wife family and friends have given you enormous support over the years, and you are regarded as a hero and survivor by Aussies throughout Australia. How does it feel knowing that your foundation is contributing to find a cure for brain cancer?

MARK : To know that we have supporters right across Australia who believe in us and are committed to helping us raise funds for brain cancer is truly humbling. Our little idea that I came up with during treatment to wear a beanie on my head has now helped us raise close to $30 million.

Our annual Beanie for Brain Cancer Campaign and the NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round are our biggest fundraisers to date and the support is overwhelming at times. It keeps us motivated and energised to keep pushing hard for a cure.

B&L : What is next on the agenda for you and the foundation?

MARK : Our first MHF ladies trek kicks off in April 2023 and we are looking for sponsors and donations to help the crew of 20 raise as much funds as we can.

B&L : What is the ultimate goal that you would like to achieve through your foundation, and what is your aspiration for yourself in the future?

MARK : We are as committed as ever to searching for a cure for brain cancer. The statistics are that brain cancer is the biggest killer of children and those under 40 years. This year a new $25 million Centre for Brain Cancer Research was announced which builds on the existing partnership between MHF and the University of Newcastle with MHF having now committed $15 million over five years to establish a dedicated research team and centre. This is a game changing step for brain cancer research in Australia and something we have been working towards since 2014.

B&L : I believe that you have met some amazing people during this journey. What would you like to say to them, to help them remain positive?

MARK : Thank you for being so brave and putting yourself out there to support MHF. We are devastated when we hear of someone losing their battle to brain cancer however it just makes us more committed than ever to honour those who have passed and find better treatments. It is our mission to put a stop to this disease so that no more families are torn apart from this hideous cancer.

B&L : Can you tell us about your association with Paul Harrigan, and the role he plays in the foundation?

MARK : Where do I start! Chief was my captain as a 20 year old when I first started playing rugby league with the NRL Newcastle Knights and we won a premiership together in 1997. Thirty years later he is still one of my closest mates and we are still doing amazing things together. He is my mate, my mentor, an ambassador for MHF and just one of the nicest people you could ever meet. I’m just so thankful I have him by my side during this journey.

We are giving one of our lucky readers the opportunity to win a double pass to see

Tina

The Tina Turner Musical

featuring rising star RUVA NGWENYA as TINA TURNER.

@ Sydney’s THEATRE ROYAL

Tuesday 9th May, 2023 @ 7 PM

To be in the draw. Email your entry to bowlsplus1@bigpond.com Winner will be advised by email @bowlingandlifestylemagazine

TINA – THE TINA TURNER

MUSICAL is based on the life of legendary artist

TINA TURNER, and presented in association with Tina Turner herself.

The internationally acclaimed, smash-hit production is a celebration of triumph over adversity.

The musical follows the inspiring journey of a woman from humble beginnings from Nutbush Tennessee in the USA, who dared to defy the restrictions and pre-conceived ideology of age, gender and race to become the global Queen of Rock’n’Roll.

The musical features the music of the iconic star, including”River Deep – Mountain High’’ and”Nutbush City Limits’’ which is guaranteed to raise the roof and ignite the theatre. After almost fifty years in the music business, Tina Turner has become one of the most commercially-successful female rock stars of all time. She has won 12 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a solo artist and for her work with ex-husband Ike, which has secured her place in music history. Tina also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Speaking about the Australian production

Tina Turner said “Australia holds a very special place in my heart and I am thrilled to be bringing my musical to Sydney. RUVA NGWENYA is a beautiful performer who I know will bring her own joy and her soul to this role. She joins a wonderful unique group of women that are my Tina’s and I’m very proud of each and every one of them. Sending all my love and blessings to Ruva and the whole Australian company.”

TINA TURNER