As Jeans for Genes Day approaches on August 6th, everyone in Western Sydney is being encouraged to stay home, stay safe and support this Westmead-based charity online!

Jeans for Genes is always celebrated on the first Friday in August and is a major fundraiser for the scientists who are still working hard in the labs at Children’s Medical Research Institute.

For the second year in a row, they won’t have volunteers on local streets selling badges and seeking donations – but there are plenty of ways to support them online.

You can get fit and take part in Sofa to 6km, or if you’d prefer something more indulgent, then organise a Bake it Blue or Wear Jeans online event– or simply sign up to fundraise and get all your friends to support you through social media.

Children’s Medical Research Institute Director, Professor Roger Reddel, said the pandemic had really brought home to Australians why research is so important.

"What everyone has seen during this pandemic is researchers around the world rallying to develop vaccines,’’ Professor Reddel said. “What I see on a daily basis at Children's Medical Research Institute is world-leading research that has the ability to change the lives of the 1 in 20 children with other serious illnesses.

"What constantly amazes me is how generous Australians are in supporting medical research, even in uncertain and difficult times.

"For many people, the experience of living through a pandemic during the last 18 months has really opened their eyes to the power of research to change the world. Now we are asking Australians to see the potential of our research to change the world for children living with genetic diseases.

"This Jeans for Genes Day is the second year in a row that we can’t have volunteers on the streets in every capital city as we have had for more than 26 years. So, we are asking instead that that people go online to donate."

Visit Jeansforgenes.org.au