Year 2 student puts creativity to work for breast cancer support

A Year 2 student at St Andrew’s Anglican College has found a creative way to support people affected by breast cancer, turning his interest in 3D printing into a fundraising initiative for the McGrath Foundation.

While more than 600 St Andrew’s students joined the College community at the annual Asics Noosa Breakfast Pink Run, James found his own way to contribute, designing and 3D printing a range of items to sell to fellow students, with all funds raised going to the McGrath Foundation.

The initiative began when James asked about the purpose of the College’s annual Pink Run and the fundraising behind it. After learning about breast cancer and the support provided to people and families affected by the disease, he decided he wanted to do more.

“I’m really proud… We can send the money to the McGrath Foundation to help people and for research. I don’t want anyone to get sick from breast cancer ever again,” James said.

With his 3D printer, a recent birthday present, James set about designing and making keyrings and other small items to sell at school. His family, including his five-year-old sister, joined in to help, creating a small production line to ensure he had plenty of stock to sell.

His mum, Sharni, said she was proud of the thoughtfulness behind his idea.

“He asked what the pink day was all about, so we talked about breast cancer and what it’s all for,” she said.

“When I explained that we donate money, he said to me, ‘Mum, that doesn’t seem like enough’. So we talked about what else we could do and he came up with this idea.”

St Andrew’s Principal Karen Gorrie said James’s initiative was a wonderful example of young people using their interests and abilities to make a meaningful contribution.

“James’s initiative is a lovely example of personal capacity in action. He has taken something he enjoys, used his creativity to find a way to help others and shown that making a difference doesn’t depend on your age. We want our students to recognise that they each have something valuable to contribute, and to feel empowered to put their ideas into action,” Mrs Gorrie said.

The College’s involvement in the Noosa Breakfast Pink Run is a longstanding tradition, proudly supported by St Andrew’s for more than 20 years. This year, more than 600 students joined hundreds of parents, staff and community members at Noosa Heads to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer support.

The pink spirit continued back at the College, with students dressing in pink and a much-anticipated staff-versus-students cricket match adding to the day’s celebrations.

Funds raised through the event support the McGrath Foundation, which funds McGrath Cancer Care Nurses to provide support to people and families experiencing breast cancer.