Six years ago, I signed up for my first Jeans for Genes Day fundraiser. At the time, I never imagined it would become something so close to my heart. Yet here we are, six years later, and together we've raised more than $7,000 for children and families living with genetic conditions.
Every year I fundraise because this isn't just a cause I care about—it's our family's story.
Our beautiful daughter, Ava, was born with 22q DiGeorge syndrome, a genetic condition caused by a missing piece of chromosome 22. Like many rare genetic conditions, no two children are affected in exactly the same way. For Ava, her journey has been filled with challenges, resilience, and incredible strength.
As a baby, feeding wasn't something that came easily. She experienced severe reflux, swallowing difficulties, and frequent aspiration, which meant she relied on an NG tube for the first year of her life. Those early months were filled with hospital visits, appointments, and learning a whole new language of medical terms that no parent ever expects to know.
As Ava has grown, so has the list of challenges she faces. She lives with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and is non-verbal. She's undergone heart surgery and bowel surgery, and has had hearing difficulties requiring multiple sets of grommets over the years.
These diagnoses don't define who Ava is, but they are part of the road she walks every single day.
What has made all the difference is the incredible village surrounding her.
From therapists, doctors, specialists, and nurses, to our family, friends, teachers, and everyone who has cheered Ava on along the way—you have all played a part in helping her reach milestones we once only dreamed of. Every person who has encouraged her, celebrated her achievements, supported our family, or simply loved her for exactly who she is holds a special place in our hearts.
Raising a child with complex medical needs isn't something any family does alone. Our village has reminded us, time and time again, that community matters.
That's why I continue to support Jeans for Genes Day.
Research into genetic conditions gives families hope. It helps improve diagnosis, treatments, and support for children like Ava and for the many families whose journeys are only just beginning. While every child's story is different, every family deserves answers, support, and the chance for a brighter future.
If you've supported us over the past six years, thank you. Whether you've donated, shared our fundraiser, bought a pair of jeans, or simply asked how Ava is going, you've been part of this journey too.
This year, we're doing it all again.
We're fundraising not just for Ava, but for every child living with a genetic condition, every family searching for answers, and every future that can be made a little brighter through research and support.
Thank you for believing in this cause and for standing beside our family year after year. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference.
From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for helping us give children like Ava hope.
Your donation has been doubled by our sponsors!