The crypto community has rallied to raise more than $9600 for the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) by raffling a digital artwork created by nine-year-old Ollie, one of the faces of the 2025 Jeans for Genes campaign.
Earlier this year CMRI started working with the Okay Bears cryptocurrency community. CMRI was introduced to Okay Bears through Archie, a 16-year-old living with cystic fibrosis, who did a triathlon for CMRI’s research through the crypto community.
The Okay Bears then heard about Ollie, who is in remission from cancer, and also happens to be an incredible young artist.
The digital art raffle of Ollie’s work was hosted on Magic Eden, a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) marketplace that supports trading and minting across blockchains such as Bitcoin, Solana and Ethereum.
CMRI began accepting cryptocurrency donations in early 2024 and has since seen consistent support through Bitcoin and Solana.
“We were pleasantly surprised when young Archie decided to fundraise for CMRI in Solana,” said CMRI’s Senior Relationship Manager, Chamira Gamage. “This led to the idea of starting one of the first crypto philanthropy events in Australia, bringing a variety of guests and speakers across industries.
“We raised $9,000, and now more through Ollie's NFT and art, plus a new awareness and culture of giving in crypto that will only continue to grow,” he said. “This is a very exciting growth area for CMRI, to tap into a new community who can help further research into cures for kids with genetic diseases. Crypto philanthropy has raised over $1 billion for charities in the US in 2024 alone. While Australians are a generous bunch and one in four own crypto, donations are still in their infancy.”
Okay Bears founder, Kais, said the platform became involved after Archie, a member of their community, completed a triathlon to raise funds for CMRI.
“That kind of heart and drive really struck a chord with us,” he said. “Around the same time, we were introduced to Ollie — a brilliant young artist who had just come out of nearly two years of cancer treatment. His story, his spirit and his art moved us deeply. It felt only right to use our platform and creativity to support the Institute that helped save his life. CMRI’s work is life-changing — and when you meet the kids behind the stats, it becomes personal.”
“Whether it was minting Ollie’s artwork to raise funds or supporting Archie’s triathlon journey, people showed up — not for hype or headlines, but because they genuinely care,” he said. “That kind of generosity gives me hope, not just for Web3, but for the future of fundraising itself.”
The partnership between Okay Bears and CMRI isn’t a one-off initiative but part of a broader mission to use art, technology and storytelling for meaningful change.
“Ollie’s journey reminded us that creativity isn’t just about expression — it’s also about healing, connection and creating change,” Kais said. “We’re honoured to play even a small role in helping more kids like him get their chance at a full, colourful life.”