The NRL is getting behind the fight against brain cancer and the man who’s leading the charge, former footballer Mark Hughes.

Mark was a 36-year-old fit and healthy father-of-two when he started experiencing serious headaches.

“Before I knew it I was in hospital having a tumour removed,” he tells Ray Hadley.

“It was absolutely shattering, terrifying.”

Since going into remission he’s launched the Mark Hughes Foundation Beanie For Brain Cancer, raising money for the fight against the disease.

Round 12 of the NRL has been renamed Beanie For Brain Cancer Round, selling warm winter beanies at games, at selected IGA stores and online.

But there’s a key figure missing in this year’s campaign. Nine’s former NRL boss Matt Callander lost his battle with the disease late last year, aged 46.

“It’s with real deep sadness he’s not here next to me this year to help. That’s the reality of brain cancer, it stops people in their tracks,” Mark says.

With over 5,000 beanies sold at last night’s game between the Brisbane Broncos and the Parramatta Eels, the community is well and truly supporting the cause.

You can buy a beanie and support the cause HERE

Click PLAY below for the full interview