Jeans for Genes Day played a role in pioneering gene therapy efforts- the charity helped to fund some of the earliest work on gene therapy at Great Ormond Street hospital way back in 2002. A little boy named Rhys Evans with the X-linked form of SCID became one of the first children to be treated by gene therapy as a result of the charity’s brilliant fundraising efforts.
Una Healy for Jeans for Genes
You can choose when to hold your Jeans for Genes Day! The campaign runs from the 16th-20th September, so you can decide when best suits to hold your fundraising event at work or school. It’s easy to get involved- simply visit the Jeans for Genes website to sign up and receive your free fundraising pack.
Jeans for Genes Day supports thousands of children each year- while individual genetic disorders are rare, it is thought that there are currently more than 6,000 diagnosed disorders and new disorders are being identified every day. Around one in 25 children is affected by a genetic disorder, which means that in the UK, 30,000 babies and children are newly diagnosed each year, and more than half a million children and adults are living with a genetic disorder.
Famous faces continue to support the charity each year- long term ambassadors for Jeans for Genes include celebrities like actor, Warwick Davis and Coleen Rooney- who has supported the charity for over 15 years! This year, Jeans for Genes has worked with an array of celebrities to promote the campaign, such as musician Vanessa White, Rebekah Vardy, bloggers Nikki Lily and Louise Petland, and TV stars including Georgia Toffolo, Eyal Booker and Olivia and Alex Bowen.
Batman and Batgirl are fighting for a good cause to support the charity this year! Jeans for Genes worked with Warner Bros UK for the first time to create 2019’s limited-edition T-Shirt design, which features a Batman and Batgirl motif that was designed by Kingston college of art student, Chayanis Jumrus. The design was chosen by a distinguished fashion panel including Coleen Rooney and Louise Thompson. Shop the T-Shirt at https://www.jeansforgenesday.org/shop- all profits will support children living with genetic disorders.
Jeans for Genes has raised more than £40 million since 1992 for genetic disorder charities and patient groups, including Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Down’s Syndrome Association and Thyroid UK. The charity’s mission is to be the leading source of information and support for those affected by a genetic disorder and its beneficiaries, by bringing together everyone’s combined experience in a place it can be shared.
Jeans for Genes offers support to children and families through disease-specific support groups and charities via Genetic Disorders UK. Affected children and families can contact the charity on its dedicated helpline- 0800 987 8987 or via the website, geneticdisordersuk.org.