Being told their baby was blind was a shock for parents Irene and Jonathan, but the last thing they expected was for it to lead to a diagnosis of kidney cancer.
“I was devastated,’’ Irene said. “I was in that black hole to begin with, and I'd go to sleep, have a nightmare, wake up and feel like this is the nightmare.’’
Two-year-old Abbey is one of the faces of the 2023 Jeans for Genes campaign which raises funds for the vital work being done in the labs at Children’s Medical Research Institute.
Abbey has been diagnosed with WAGR syndrome, which is caused by a genetic variation in the DNA that controls both the eye and kidney. The main features are aniridia, intellectual disability and cancer. She was then put on a testing schedule for tumours, and the family were told the most dangerous period was the first 18 months. Abbey got kidney cancer (called Wilms tumour) at exactly 18 months.
“It was devastating, but also knowing that we had really good doctors behind us, the renal team, the eye doctors that we've had, and the geneticists, it was reassuring. You’ve just got to keep going on and give her the best life that she can have.’’
My Impact
So far this year I helped provide...
599
Hours of research
For every $55 raised, one hour of research is funded
Thank you to our Sponsors
$56
Mary Anstiss
$11
Karan Saini
All the best and stay healthy
$56
Anonymous
$55
Rifhat Jangir
Great work JoNo
$56
Ivanka Mikulic
$22
Jun Cai
$32
Athena Frangeskou
Hoping a cure is found soon xx
$104
Elise Williams
$110
Michael Milligan
$108
Merjilyn Flores
$110
Janine Harris
$56
Piers Graham
$56
Anonymous
$90
Charles Daaboul
Abbey, you're an inspiration for us all.
$11
Anonymous
$56
Yven Floresta
$56
Ruth Koenig
What a brave girl you are Abbey!
$56
Colleen Haigh
$106
Philip
$56
Tink Hallam
$10
Anonymous
$54
Damon
What a brave little girl you have. Go Abbey
$91
Mel And Dan Gorman
Good luck Abbey!!!
$104
Jenifer Makerry
God bless Abbey Mrs Makerry STJW
$855
Anonymous
For beautiful Abbey xx
$21
Viv Mclean
$56
Alain Ho
Be strong
$26
Anonymous
$110
The Gibbos
Such admiration for you guys…. Keep up the good fight Love some good mates of Ed & Mish xxx
$20
Anonymous
All the best
$110
Gems
We love you Abbey!
$110
Emily & Eva Nguyen
Best wishes Abbey! Xoxo
$56
Mary Ah-wa
You are a trooper Abbey! Love, Aunty Mary
$32
Anonymous
My best wishes and prayers
$106
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$106
Masters Pest Control Sydney
$106
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$106
J H
All the best. Thank you for sharing your family's story with us.
$21
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$21
Mele Pahulu-vaiaku
$55
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$55
Jodie Smith
Lots of love
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Anonymous
$211
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$211
Whitbread Insurance Group
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Michael Giansiracusa
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Leanne O'brien
$32
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$32
Anonymous
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Deborah Taylor
$21
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$21
Anonymous
$86
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$86
Ben Brown
$1k
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$1k
Arx Placement Solutions
$250
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$250
Diana Lee
Love you our beautiful Abbey ❤️❤️
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Anonymous
$91
Johns Lyng Strata Services
What a great cause!
$91
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$520
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$520
Yasmina Tripp
Sending you big hugs 🤗 x
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Anna Fan
$110
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$110
Laura
I hope you guys are ok, you are so strong I admire you so much, thank you for doing the video.
$520
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$520
Angie Zissis
$58
Craig Steele
$58
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$110
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$110
Johns Family
Sending all our love xx
$110
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$110
Eddy Lee
$91
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$91
Deena
Go Abbey.!!❤️❤️ soo proud of you
$53
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$53
Chezza
Loads of hugs & kisses beautiful Abbey, your such a brave little fighter🥰🥰🥰❤️
$91
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$91
Jacqueline Donnelly
$156
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$156
Harry Savva
Much love guys, great cause.
$110
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$110
Ben Anglin
Such a wonderful brave ambassador, well done Abbey!
$108
Deni And Farhad
Abbey is absolutely beautiful and we wish her all the best. You are her heroes ❤️ Much love to you, Irene and Jonathan!
$108
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$104
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$104
Vic Shu
🩵
$100
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$100
Kanu Bhardwaj
Its admirable what you are doing. More strength & resilience to you! And gratitude towards everyone who is supporting in this journey.
$211
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$211
Linda Huo
Sending all my love and strength to your brave little daughter as she embarks on this journey. Hugs to you, Irene, and Jonathan. You are not alone; we stand with you. Keep shining bright, little one.
$500
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$500
Link Group
$53
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$53
Joe Nekic
$116
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$116
Anonymous
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Vanessa, Santiago, Olivia And Harrison Garcia
$211
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$211
Bearnard Macnicholas
Love from Bearnard and Narcisa
$106
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$106
Luke Scott
$1.02k
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$1.02k
Jonathan & Irene Himford
From Mum and Dad ❤
$110
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$110
Sandra Luu
$1,000
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$1,000
Strata Unit Underwriters
Go Abbey! Love from the entire team at SUU
$91
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$91
Katina Cabral
$1k
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$1k
Bac Insurance Brokers
$91
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$91
Lauren Trajkovski
$106
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$106
Gwen, Hazel, Eloise, Reece, Eileen
You're amazing Abbey, Lots of Love from the Ramsey's.
$500
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$500
Vincent Yau
Love you long time Abby ❤️
$211
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$211
Lia De Sousa
$110
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$110
Lia De Sousa
$110
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$110
Yil Mu Raymond Lai
$31
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$31
Clare K
Keep fighting beautiful Abbey!! Love to your brave Mum and Dad and big brother xox
$110
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$110
Nathaniel Chan
$53
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$53
Sarah Walsh
$91
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$91
Stephen Mcmahon
<3
$510
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$510
Austbrokers Abs Strata
Go Abbey, Irene and Jonathan! Your courage and love for life inspires others to be the conquerors instead of the victims of circumstance. We are cheering for you! Lots of love, The team at Austbrokers ABS Strata
$55
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$55
Hashi Pienko
Wishing you and your family all the best
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Sri
$104
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$104
Alina & Sam Lucaciu
Wishing you all the best xx
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Steven Sarlog
$52
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$52
Anonymous
$50
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$50
Emilia Aberca & Family
Wishing you all the best!
$200
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$200
Angela Espinosa & Griffin Becker
Hugs to beautiful, Abbey!
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Morgan Family
Such a strong and beautiful girl you are Abbey. From my family to yours x
$158
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$158
The Ingham’s (simon, Karen And Harrison)
Well done on a fantastic fundraising effort Abbey!!! Love from the Ingham’s (Simon, Karen and Harrison)
$91
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$91
Anonymous
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Christian Kresnomurti
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Anonymous
Wishing you all the best!
$53
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$53
Frances Moir
$55
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$55
Thomas Family
$56
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$56
Terri-ann Christensen
$31
Jeans For Genes
Your donation has been doubled
$31
Anonymous
$104
Mario Desmier
Abbey, your story is so inspiring!!!! You are an absolute trooper!!! I feel so privileged to know you and your family!!!
$211
Ripal Darji
$106
Avary
Soldier on Abbey!
$100
Alan & Cathy
$55
Anna Husband
For Abbey and all the other sufferers...and for further research and a cure.
$56
Vicky Stuart
$106
Gretta Francis
I wish Irene and Jonathan the very best and for Abbey to have a quality life. Also praying for all the scientist involved in the research work that God may enlighten them and help find a cure for such rare genetic condition.
$56
Leny
Abbey, stay strong. Lots of love to you and your family!
$56
Anonymous
$26
Linda Buchanan
$110
Jasmine Abedi
$56
Rhiannon
$91
Karen Matthews
Beautiful Abbey you are a superstar!!! Big hugs to you !!
$56
Tiffany Beland
$56
Anonymous
$56
Kaylee Storie
You are a Super Star Abbey!
$62
Shannon Cox
An amazing cause to support!
$91
Anonymous
$104
Gustini Soedarso
Dear Irene, Jonathan & Abbey Keep in faith! BIG hugs Gustini Soedarso
$26
Rich Starow
What a great cause to contribute to. Wishing you and your family a very healthy future.
$125
Anu Udayavarman
You are an exceptionally beautiful and inspiring little princess Abbey!
$56
Rosetta Mammone
$110
Dee Mcgrath
Abbey you are a super star (as is your Mum)!
$56
Gordon Marshall
For Abbey and those supported by Jeans for Genes xxx
$208
Tony Yip
$11
Sharon Battle
$108
Serian Family
Abbey you are a strong girl. Love and Prays from our family to yours. ❤
$55
Vera Savvas
Go Abbey you strong little superstar xxoo
$56
Azora T
Sending love Abbey
$105
Sonia G
$208
Laura Cheung
$208
Anh Truong
$91
Joe Raish
Abbey you are amazing and a fighter! You are in our prayers! 🙏
$211
Gae Johns
$92
Jamaree Chakshuraksha
With love from whole my heart
$317
Olivia Tang
Abbey you are such a strong girl and your journey has brought hope to alot of other children who are suffering the same condition as you !!!
$55
Lia
Lots of love & kisses, Xx
$91
Dee
Lots of love for little Abbey ❤️
$11
Cass
$523
Cass
$208
Anonymous
$110
Keziah
Sending love to Abbey Xx
$751
Sophia Burfitt And Family
The most BEAUTIFUL ambassador for such an incredible institute. Thank you for sharing your story. Love, Sophia Burfitt and family (one of the 2022 ambassadors)
$91
Ali
To the sweetest, brightest and most resilient little girl ❤️ Keep fighting Abbey xx
$106
Matt Argent
$208
Kelly Shi
Such a strong lovely girl:) Go Abbey!!!
