I’m fundraising in support of someone.
Here's just one story explaining why this cause is so important:
Harrison was a healthy, active child, until one day out of the blue, “He wasn’t quite right, and then the next day he just stopped walking, and we knew something was very wrong,” said his father, Adam.
Doctors found something wrong with his blood, and when his parents were told it could be leukaemia “everything stopped.” As terrifying as that word was for them to hear, it got worse as Harrison’s case was unique, and it took many DNA tests to determine he had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). They were lucky to get the right treatment after the right diagnosis, but it could have gone very differently if that work had not been done.
“Medical research is so important to get any answers for any genetic condition,” said his mum, Naomi. “For Harrison, the research done prior to him getting sick is what helped save our son. Research needs to continue so the next child diagnosed with a rare form of AML or any cancer—it can help them.”
I care about the 1 in 20 Aussie kids who face a birth defect or genetic disease, like cancer. Most people don’t know that cancer is caused by changes in genes—but almost everyone will be touched by it. So, the research you and I support today may one day help someone we know, someone in our family.
There’s lots of work to do, but there is also lots of hope.
Join me. Share this message. Donate. Thank You!
Latest updates
My story
Before Bella was born, James and I lost two much-loved babies due to a rare genetic condition, 12 months apart. The first loss completely changed me. Looking back, I barely remember the six months afterwards. Grief and trauma have a way of protecting us, and for me, that meant losing so many memories from that time.
After genetic testing, we were told it was an incredibly rare event, even more rare to happen twice to, and that because we already had a healthy child, our chances of having another healthy baby were still very good. Thankfully, Bella was born healthy the following year.
Our experience is just one reminder that genetic conditions affect more families than many people realise.
This August, I'll be doing 100 skips every day to support Jeans for Genes Day and help raise funds for research into genetic diseases. If sharing our story helps even one family feel a little less alone, then it's worth telling.
If you'd like to support the cause or learn more, I'd love to have you follow along throughout August. 💙
Raised so far
With your help, I have raised...
$191
You’re helping fund research to find cures for kids with genetic diseases. Every dollar counts!
Biggest Donor
Anita O'Neill
$60
Thank you so much to my biggest supporter, Anita O'Neill, for donating an incredible $60 to help fund vital research into curing children’s genetic diseases.
My Impact
So far this year, I've helped fund...
4
Hours of research
Every $50 raised funds an hour of vital research.
Thank you to our donors
$24
Beck, Pete & Kids
Sending you our love. It is a grief that never leaves you
$24
Allison Bykersma
$24
Kelli Aggett
$60
Matched Donation
$60
"Sending you our love. It is a grief that never leaves you"