Sisters raise $98K for melanoma research with handmade bracelets
After their mother received the news she had melanoma, sisters Attie and Callie Crews went to work raising money for research by selling handmade bracelets.
“When I was in sixth grade my mom was diagnosed with melanoma,” Attie Crews said. “Throughout middle school, she taught my sister and I about how to prevent melanoma and how to protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen and protective clothing.”
Once Attie Crews got into high school, she decided to start the non-profit.
“I figured that if I started a non-profit or business that it could help spread the word,” Attie Crews said.
The girls first started making bracelets with strings but have upgraded to using beads.
“Basically, we melt a plastic pony bead on a gold ring,” Callie Crews said. “Then we looked up videos on how to make different adjustable knots.”
When a person wears the bracelet, the bead changes colors in the sun, reminding the wearer to put on sunscreen.
“There are polymers in the bead that react to the sun,” Callie Crews said. “So, when it is away from U.V. rays, it is clear, but when you are in the sun exposed to those U.V. rays, it changes to a bright color. The whole purpose is when you see the color change, you go put on sunscreen.”
Since their mother was diagnosed with melanoma, Attie Crews said skincare is at the top of her priority list.
“I put on sunscreen every day,” Attie Crews said. “I always bring it in my bag and give it to a friend if they need it. For all of our events we bring sunscreen samples and hand them out for free. Skincare is very important.”
The sisters have gone all around the southeast spreading awareness about melanoma and raising money. They have participated in STEPS 5K Run/Walk, the Orange Bowl Paddle Championships, SunSmart 5K for the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, Palmer Trinity School International Festival, the Orange Bowl Paddleboard Championship Race, Sofia’s Hope Trunk Show, the Lilly Pulitzer Show at Merrick Park, Westminster Christian School Family Fun Day, Give Miami Day and the Mountaintop Rotary Mountaintop Arts and Crafts Show in Highlands. The girls also donated bracelets to the U.S. Woman’s National Soccer Team.
The money they have raised has gone to the Miami Cancer Institute, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and much more.
Going into ninth grade, C. Crews is taking over as president of One Change.
“We just want to keep on raising money and spreading awareness,” C. Crews said. “I will take over as president, but Allie will keep helping while she is in college.”
Now going into college at Florida State University, A. Crews said she wants to keep spreading awareness about melanoma.
The girls are the daughters of Evans Crews and the granddaughters of Highlands local Ginny Dunwody.
For more information about One Change Bracelets, visit onechangebracelets.org.