The Mark Hughes Foundation has given an $18.9 million philanthropic gift to the University of Newcastle to develop new treatments for brain cancer.
The commitment, announced on Wednesday, brings the foundation's total contribution to the university to more than $36 million.
It advances Newcastle's position as a major research centre for brain cancer and strengthens the teamwork approach to beating the disease.
The funding is among the largest charitable donations in brain cancer research in Australia, and the biggest in the university's history.
The foundation is determined to discover a cure for brain cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and adults under 40.
Mr Hughes, a two-time premiership winner with the Newcastle Knights, established the foundation with his wife Kirralee, after his brain cancer diagnosis in 2013.
The university's Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research was established in 2022 to tackle the disease.
The centre's director, Professor Mike Fay, said the university's partnership with the foundation enabled "fragmented efforts in brain cancer research to evolve into a nationally connected research ecosystem".
"In just a few years, we've built a strong foundation and emerged as a unifying force," Professor Fay said.
"We've built this network that is based in Newcastle, but goes around the country.
"That's moving internationally as well. We have collaborations now with Duke University and the Mayo Clinic in the US."
He said the centre's first phase was "focused on building the infrastructure - investing in people, equipment and partnerships".
"This next phase is about turning our momentum into real-world change - including new approaches to treatments and accelerating drug development."
Mr Hughes said his foundation "started as a conversation around a hospital bed after my diagnosis".
He said it had "grown into a community movement that is helping change the future of brain cancer research in Australia".
"Every beanie sold, every donation made, every event attended and every person who has stood with us has contributed to this moment."
Mr Hughes said the donation was "about giving hope to every family, including mine, that is facing a brain cancer diagnosis".
"It is ensuring we continue pushing towards our ultimate goal of finding better treatments and, one day, a cure."
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky thanked the foundation for its "vision and generosity".
Professor Zelinsky said he was in "awe" of the foundation's "incredible work".
He said the centre's work had created "access to national registries, the MHF brain biobank, advanced imaging and biomarker platforms and a network of researchers".
"The next five years represent a unique opportunity to accelerate progress," he said.
The centre aimed to have "a tangible impact on the lives of brain cancer patients".
Part of its work has involved collecting the post-mortem brains of cancer patients.
"Patients have said they want to donate their brain after death and hope it can be useful to other patients," Professor Fay said.
"It's a tricky area to talk about, but has been incredibly helpful for this project."
He added that the centre was "also developing a strong brain cancer imaging platform here".
"We're trying to develop new treatments as quickly as possible," he said.
"Some will be new drugs. Others will be drugs that already exist that we've found new uses for."
A nuclear medicine approach is being developed at the centre using theranostics, which combines diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy.
"You design this little drug that goes into the brain, binds to the tumour and you put a PET isotope on the back of it," Professor Fay said.
"You put the patient in a PET scanner and you can see the tumour lighting up.
"Once you know where it's going in the body, you can change that to a therapy isotope and use the same drug but with a different 'warhead'."
The foundation's mission also includes raising awareness and supporting patients and families affected by brain cancer.
