Helena Amanatidis

This August I’m unleashing my inner superhero and challenging myself to get up and get active to raise funds for Children’s Medical Research Institute and help save more kids’ lives.

By participating in MOVE this Jeans for Genes, I am not only investing in my own well-being but also championing the future of these incredible kids.

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. 

This August I’ll face my challenge to support the 1 in 20 kids that face their challenge every single day.

We can all be superheroes for these kids. Together let's make August a month of action, one heroic move at a time! 

Get Moving, Raise Funds, Find Cures, Jean-ius!