LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
For Brett Kimmorley, the coach of the Wests Tigers NRLW, and his four daughters, Beanie for Brain Cancer Round serves as a poignant reminder of his late wife, Sharnie, who passed away in 2017 after a battle with brain cancer.
The event also highlights the support the family received from the rugby league community during their difficult times.
In 2015, Sharnie was diagnosed with brain cancer and succumbed to the disease nine months later at the age of 38.
This devastating loss impacted not only the Kimmorley family but also others in the rugby league world, including Kimmorley's former NSW Origin teammate Mark Hughes and the late Matt Callander, who was the Head of Sport at Channel Nine.
Together, they advocated for the introduction of the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which highlights the fight against this illness.
The Kimmorley family attended the inaugural Beanie for Brain Cancer Round in May 2017, held during a match between Cronulla and North Queensland at Sharks Stadium, which underscored the significance of the event in raising awareness about brain cancer and honoring victims and survivors alike.
For Kimmorley, these moments are vital, as they allow him and his daughters to connect with the community and keep Sharnie's memory alive.
Kimmorley expressed a heartfelt sentiment, saying, "'The best win we could ever have' would be to find a cure for this disease." His dedication to this cause reflects not only a personal journey of loss but also a broader commitment to advocate for brain cancer awareness and research.