From little things big things grow.
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The famed Paul Kelly song has been on high rotation during the past week following the death of former prime minister Gough Whitlam, a central figure in the lyrics that describe the struggle for Aboriginal land rights.
But it is a line which can be applied to many walks of life, including the under-funded fight against the largely under-studied brain cancer.
The most recent development has been the establishment of a biobank for brain cancer at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, which is aimed at preserving patients’ blood and tissue samples for future reference.
It was a project made possible because of a funding boost of almost $75,000 from the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Not only is this an exciting development for brain cancer research, but it comes only a year after the foundation kicked off.
A foundation that came into being after Kurri Kurri kid turned Newcastle Knights premiership winner Mark Hughes was diagnosed with the disease last year.
Hughes’ decision to get on the front foot and help other brain cancer sufferers despite his own plight has prompted far-reaching community support, raised thousands of dollars and may now save the lives of others.
And while it has come too late for the likes of Peter Gallagher and James Vullo, whose stories were told in the Mercury’s Weekend Magazine last week, the $22,000 raised at the Walk4BrainCancer organised by their widows will go toward ensuring others don’t go through the same experience.
As will the Beanie4BrainCancer Day, the upcoming MHF Charity Golf Day and the annual Rotary Raffle.
Who knows, it might even be the next little step to finding a cure.
