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* Madison Callander is the daughter of the late Matt Callander, who died of brain cancer in 2017. But not before he put the wheels in motion for one of the NRL’s finest achievements. This is Maddy’s story.
Rugby league loves a rivalry. Some may say, it’s what the game is built on. Look at last week, the greatest game of all. State of Origin. New South Wales and Queensland. State against state. Mate against mate.
But this weekend, rivalry plays second fiddle to something pretty special.
The Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.
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And in 2023, our campaign will come full circle. On Thursday night, it’s the Cronulla Sharks against the St George Illawarra Dragons… Not only are we back where it all began, but it’s my dad’s club and they’re up against a rival of their own.
In 2016, Dad was diagnosed with a stage four glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of cancer, with currently no cure. He was given 12 months to live. We got 18 and I have to say, it was 18 months well spent.
On a cold Thursday night in May 2017, joined by all our family and friends, a sea of beanies lit up Shark Park from the inside out. The kids ran out with Paul Gallen, the beanies sold out before kick off and after 20 years behind the camera, Dad finally found himself in front of it.
By far, one of my dad’s greatest achievements was his decision to join forces with the Mark Hughes Foundation, the National Rugby League and Channel Nine to establish the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round. From what was once just his simple idea to sell beanies at the footy was now an official round in the NRL.
Dad loved Mark and Kiralee Hughes for their commitment to the Foundation and for the people who stood with them… Their mates. These people were full of sincerity and all held passion aplenty. Champion people driving a champion idea.
I’ll never forget the scenes at Cronulla that night. And better yet, the look on Dad’s face when he realised the true enormity of what we had achieved. In that weekend alone, 100,000 beanies were sold and a total of $1.75 million was raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
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That Round back in 2017 will always be special for us. Not only was it the first, but it was the only one Dad got to be a part of.
The sad fact is, every five hours, one person is diagnosed with brain cancer and only two in 10 people diagnosed will survive at least five years. It kills more people under 40 than any other cancer and yet, it still receives less than 5 per cent of government funding.
That’s why we’re here. To date, this Beanie for Brain Cancer Round has sold over 900,000 beanies and raised over $20 million.
In rugby league, they say mateship can be the difference between winning and losing. This same philosophy can be applied to life. Each year, I have watched the support of this round go from strength to strength. All of which has been on the back of some pretty incredible people. That’s what I love most about this sport. It brings people together.
Last month, I went out to dinner with four of my dad’s best mates and their partners. At a table of 10, in a beautiful restaurant, I was sitting alongside Mum and all I could think was, ‘this was my dad’s seat.’ These mates dated back to primary school and as they shared stories of the past, I just kept wishing he was here.
I have to admit some occasions are harder than others and for me, this was one of those. In an instant, all my thoughts are consumed by Dad…. I wished I could tell him a story, ask him a question or even give him a hug. Holding back tears, I couldn’t believe it had been nearly six years without him. But I have to say, in that same breath, I was overawed by the feeling of strength. I couldn’t help but smile as I quickly realised the company at this table was credited to my dad and the man he was.
These moments are the best kind.
I can no longer be sad that he can’t take a seat at the table, instead, I am proud to be his daughter.
Proud to be rubbing shoulders and sharing a meal with his mates.
Proud to be following in his footsteps and working alongside his former colleagues.
Proud to be continuing our great fight against brain cancer.
This is a strength unmatched.
This weekend will be one of these moments and I can’t wait.
Mateship is embedded in the DNA of rugby league and it will be forever evident in the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round. Mates helping mates. It’s as simple as that.
So at Shark Park on Thursday night, we’re together again.
Selling beanies, raising money and shining that much-needed light on brain cancer.
And despite the rivalry on the field, the Sharks and the Dragons will have to take a back seat as the rugby league community gets behind the seventh annual Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.
Buy a beanie to support the Mark Hughes Foundation! Click here to do your bit in Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.
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