Jean-ius way to help raise money for seriously ill children

Educators and children from multiple Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten centres will be donning their best denim outfits this week to help raise money for seriously ill kids as part of Jeans for Genes Day.

Held every August, Jeans for Genes Day supports research done in the labs at the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) to help the one in 20 children facing a birth defect or genetic disease.

This equates to 12 kids born every minute worldwide with illnesses like cancer, cystic fibrosis and life-threatening metabolic disorders.

The annual fundraiser is especially important to Sesame Lane Redcliffe Service Manager Colleen McDermott, who sadly lost her nephew to a genetic disease at a young age.

“Jeans for Genes Day is an opportunity to raise awareness for children who are diagnosed with a genetic disease or cancer. By raising well needed funds, we can help medical researchers continue their amazing work to cure these diseases forever,” Colleen says.

“There is nobody braver than a sick child, and with our help, CMRI can continue their life changing work for children and their families".

Colleen has planned a pancake breakfast fundraiser, and the children will decorate pairs of jeans to create artwork to bring awareness to the charity.

This year, Jeans for Genes Day will be held on Friday, August 5.

Jeans for Genes Day has been running for more than 27 years, and has raised more than $61 million for medical research.

This year, close to $600,000 has been raised across the country so far.

Join in the fun

Everyone can wear their favourite pair of jeans to work or school on Friday by registering online today.

You might also see volunteers at your local shopping centre selling Jeans for Genes merchandise.

About Children’s Medical Research Institute

CMRI is an award-winning, state-of-the-art medical research facility dedicated to researching the genes and proteins important for health and human development.

It was founded in 1958 by Sir Lorimer Dods and Dr John Fulton. The Foundation (later renamed Institute) was established in 1958 with funds raised by Australia’s first telethon and a large public campaign.

Researchers are working on treatments and cures for diseases including epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, cancer, devastating metabolic conditions, genetic blindness, and many more of the 6000 genetic diseases that impact Aussie kids.

CMRI is supported in part by its key fundraiser Jeans for Genes Day.

They are located at Westmead, a major hub for research and medicine in Sydney, and is affiliated with the University of Sydney.

For more information, visit the CMRI website.