Johnathan Thurston is a man who wears many hats – Channel 9 commentator, Johnathan Thurston Academy managing director, Queensland Maroons assistant coach, North Queensland Cowboys board member, and Nathan Hindmarsh stirrer.
This week his hat will be a beanie. A very special beanie and one he first wore in 2015 being interviewed by Hindmarsh after he won man of the match for the Cowboys against Manly in Round 19.
Across everything Thurston does, there is one thing that rings true: he cares about the rugby league community and making a difference.
After former Newcastle Knights star Mark Hughes was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013 – and dealt with the harsh reality that just 20 per cent of sufferers survive for more than five years following diagnosis - he came up with the beanie idea in 2014.
After hearing about his plight in 2015, Thurston contacted Hughes and let him know “when” he won man of the match for the Cowboys against Manly, he would wear the blue and red beanie as a show of solidarity.
Gardiner on Beanies Round: 'It means everything'
Given JT had won the man-of-the-match award in four Monday night games already that season and had the Cowboys hurtling towards a maiden premiership, there was every reason for Hughes to believe his beanie would be showcased at Brookie.
"I hope JT's got a little bit of pride there because you need your leaders stepping up and he certainly did that before anyone else knew about our beanies so I’ll never forget that," Hughes said at this week's launch of Beanie For Brain Cancer Round.
"When we sent him a beanie for that video, we didn’t expect we were going to be sending another 1.3 million beanies out following that, so it’s been a crazy journey."
Rd 19: Sea Eagles v Cowboys (Hls)
Interviewed by Fox League's Andy Raymond on the field before a cross to his old sparring partner Hindy in the studio, Thurston said he was determined to help shine a light on the important cause.
“I wanted to wear the beanie on the run-out and they wouldn't allow me to, so got man of the match and I wore it post-match at Brookvale," Thurston said.
“Obviously one of our own was going through a tough time, so it was about bringing awareness to the cause,” he said.
“It was just a small gesture on my part, but it was more to raise awareness for what Mark was going through and what other brain cancer patients go through as well.”
Thurston said the statistics meant it was so important to continue to back this cause.
In Australia, brain cancer kills more children than any other disease and more people under 40 than any other cancer. And one person is diagnosed with brain cancer every five hours.
“Beanie for Brain Cancer Round is extremely important,” Thurston said.
“The survival rates aren't great, and it causes more deaths in children than any other disease. It's heartbreaking to see people lose their lives to it, especially young people.
“So full credit to Mark and the Mark Hughes Foundation, and to the NRL and the rugby league community - and not just the rugby league community, but Australia and New Zealand in general - for getting behind such an important initiative that will hopefully save lives and come up with a cure.”
The Beanie Round has grown significantly since it was launched in 2017 and this weekend will tick past $30 million in funds raised to fund crucial research into the deadly disease.
A renowned 'wuss' when it comes to the cold, Thurston struggles when he's away from the glorious climate in North Queensland and said he was 'filthy' Beanie Round hadn't been staged when he was in Canberra a few weeks ago.
“It was like minus one, so I could’ve done with one of Mark Hughes’ beanies then... I certainly appreciate them in the freezing cold,” he said.
Thurston will be on commentary duties when the Broncos take on the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
“That's cold enough for me, coming from North Queensland,” he said.
“Purchase a beanie or make a donation. Brain cancer does affect young people particularly, so hopefully we can find a cure soon.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing awareness and raising money for research to prolong people’s lives and hopefully saving lives and finding a cure in the end.
“It's a great initiative and I'm glad I played a small role in it.”
Help raise funds for vital research into brain cancer by purchasing your Beanie for Brain Cancer beanie. Beanies are available at every NRL match of Round 17, along with selected Woolworth, IGA and Lowes stores and the Mark Hughes Foundation website.