VICTORIA Point State High School principal Scot Steinhardt knows how brain cancer can affect a family and wants to get young people talking about the disease during a beanie fundraiser.
The Beanie for Brain Cancer fundraiser will see students at Victoria Point State High School and Victoria Point and Redland Bay state primary schools donning beanies and enjoying a sausage sizzle on Tuesday, June 25.
Money raised will go to the Mark Hughes Foundation to support people with brain cancer and their families and to fund research into the disease.
The cause strikes a personal note for Mr Steinhardt, whose brother Dave - a casino chief executive and father of two - died from the disease in 2017, five weeks after his diagnosis.
He was 50 years old.
Mr Steinhardt said as well as raising money, the event aimed to get students talking about the disease.
"Brain cancer is one cancer where survival rates just aren't changing," he said.
"Where, thankfully, we are seeing survival rates for other sorts of cancers improve, which is great news, brain cancer is still lagging behind.
"Until you have to deal with it, so many of us know so very little about it (and) we need to encourage young people to have those conversations. One of the healthiest things you can do when life is difficult is talk about things."
The school's inaugural brain cancer fundraiser, along with a charity rugby game raised nearly $20,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation. It saw about 190 kilograms of sausages eaten by hungry students and staff.
This year, Mr Steinhardt wants to see about 3000 students, teachers and community members wearing beanies.
He said he hoped the event would continue to gain momentum and grow throughout the community.
"Soon, the Redlands might be sea of beanies on one day of the year," he said.
For a gold coin donation, students can wear their favourite beanie to school and enjoy a free sausage sizzle.
A football signed by the Brisbane Broncos will be awarded to the best beanie at each school.
To help out or donate, contact Victoria Point State High School or visit the school's website.
