Loreto Normanhurst student, Kyah Kraszula donates major work to Jeans for Genes fundraising ball
18-year-old Loreto Normanhurst student Kyah Kraszula is preparing to donate her major project, a work-of-art eight months in the making, to be auctioned off at the Jeans for Genes Denim Dinner Gala Ball.
Hills Shire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hills Shire. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FOR Kyah Kraszula, every stitch of her denim dress tells a story of hope.
The 18-year-old Loreto Normanhurst student is preparing to donate her major project, a work-of-art eight months in the making, to be auctioned off at the Jeans for Genes Denim Dinner Gala Ball on July 21.
When I was looking at doing this project, I didn’t realise just how close to home it would be for me,” Kyah said. “My cousin lives with autism and I realised exactly what the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) does to support kids living with all kinds of life threatening illnesses.”
Kyah sat down with the team at CMRI to hear stories of hope from families across the country, who are supported by researchers and donations made through Jeans for Genes day.
“Once I heard the children’s stories, I knew I wanted to tell them in the design,” she said.
“Hearing a quote about a seven-year-old girl called Ella with an incurable, life threatening disease hit me really hard, but it inspired me to work even harder, this isn’t just a school project anymore.”
Kyah has been producing her major work in the classroom and at her West Pennant Hills home since December last year, and has included quotes from families in the denim design.
She is finalising work on the denim dress, before it is auctioned off to raise much-needed funds to support Jeans for Genes day.
“I am so excited to be going to the gala ball, but I am a little worried,” she said.
“My teacher started crying when she saw the design and read the quotes from sick kids, so I am hoping I can help raise a lot of money and spread awareness.”
The Denim Dinner at The Star is just one of the fundraising events this year to try and raise $25 million for research in Jeans for Genes’ 25th year.
To buy tickets to the gala visit thedenimdinner.org.au or to take part in Jeans for Genes on Friday, 3rd August visit jeansforgenes.org.au