You may have already seen their smiling faces in magazines or out on the street – but now we can officially introduce you to the news faces of this year’s Jeans for Genes campaign.
Our new stars are:
Ryan with Cystic Fibrosis
Naomi who has Glass Syndrome
Ethan who has Cystinosis
Iluka with PVNH
Charlize with Propionic Acidemia
Chloe with cancer.
Their stories will be told throughout the campaign.
The 2019 Jeans for Genes campaign focuses again on children living with genetic diseases, after a major change in direction during its 25th anniversary last year which forged a strong connection with the Australian community.
Children’s Medical Research Institute’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Lorel Colgin, said based on the success of last year’s approach, would continue to raise awareness about the 1 in 20 children who face a birth defect or genetic disease.
“In 2018, we decided to put the focus of Jeans for Genes on what was important—the children we’re trying to help,’’ Dr Colgin said.
“We chose to highlight their stories and give a face to what are often incomprehensible genetic diseases. But we didn’t want to portray these children as victims. They’ve endured more than most of us can imagine, they are strong and resilient, and they deserve to be shown as heroes we can all look up to.
“The Australian public really connected with this new approach, and we’re coming back in 2019 with the stories of six new children.’’
This year the emphasis is on working harder to educate people about genetic diseases—not just sterile, technical explanations, but what a genetic disease means to a child and their experience of life.
Dr Colgin said the 2019 Jeans for Genes campaign also aims to educate Australians about how funding research can change the future for these children.
“Research is the key to helping kids who spend days in hospital and endure chemotherapy and organ transplants to one day have a different experience. Kids deserve the chance to just be kids. Until the day we find the cures, all of us can do our part by donating and by listening. By paying attention to what these kids are telling us, by respecting them and making sure we understand the severity of genetic diseases, we can change perceptions. We can create real hope.’’
Jeans for Genes Day is on Friday, August 2nd, but you can fundraise for Children’s Medical Research Institute at any time of the year! You can sign up now to raise money through your own personal page, organise an event at your school or with your community group, volunteer, or just donate.