Dec 18, 2017 | By Tess
While the Christmas season can seem focused on shopping, spending tons of money, and indulgence, it is also a key time of the year to give back and to offer help to those who need it.
In Australia, a collaboration between Monash University, the Muscular Dystrophy Australia organization, and creative agency AKQA is combining 3D printing and Christmas ornaments to raise money for children suffering from muscular dystrophy.
"Alex's Super Dooper Santa" by Alex Gatt, 13 years old.
Muscular dystrophy is a degenerative disease that affects one in every 625 people in Australia. The muscle-destroying condition can cause physical debilitation, as well as heart and breathing problems and most children suffering from the disease become dependant on wheelchairs by the age of eight, according to Muscular Dystrophy Australia.
"Jessica's Photo Time Tummy" by Jessica Again, 12 years old.
In an effort to instil some holiday cheer in a group of children with muscular dystrophy and to raise money for research into the disease, AKQA, Muscular Dystrophy Australia, and the Monach University are selling 3D printed Christmas ornaments designed by kids with the condition.
The initiative, called “Little Miracles,” invited a number of children to conceive of and design their own Christmas ornaments and brought on design and engineering students from the Monash University to transform the designs into digital models and 3D print them.
"Lachie's Christmas Angel" by Lachie Tudic, 14 years old.
Each Little Miracle 3D printed ornament comes with its own name and story, and represents a happy Christmas memory for each child. 12-year-old Jessica Again, for instance, came up with a fun photo-holder ornament called “Jessica’s Photo Time Tummy.” “I love going through all the photos we take on Christmas Day just as much as opening presents,” she says of the inspiration behind the ornament. “I think hanging your favourite photos on your Christmas Tree would be a lot of fun.”
The project marks the second time that the three parties have collaborated on a Christmas project for raising awareness and funds for muscular dystrophy research. The 2016 edition of the initiative also involved 3D scanning and 3D printing the colorful ornaments.
"Ryan's Disco Ball" by Ryan Christie, 6 years old.
“These ornaments aren't miracles until someone buys them and funds a real miracle—a cure for Muscular Dystrophy. So this Christmas, if you need to buy a small gift that makes a big difference—whether it's for KK or a stocking filler—bring a Little Miracle to life. All profits go towards finding a cure,” stated Muscular Dystrophy Australia.
Today, December 18, is the final day for ordering the 3D printed baubles if you want them shipped in time for Christmas (presumably if you’re ordering from Australia). Each colorful and creative 3D printed ornament is available for $35 (AUD) and will help support finding a cure for the debilitating condition.
"Jessica's Window Wonder Tree" by Jessica Again, 12 years old.
“We love contributing to this cause, it's so close to our hearts and such a good reminder at Christmas time that some kids can't make those Christmas trinkets that are such a big part of every child's Christmas experience,” said Brian Vella, AKQA managing director.
You can see the full collection of Little Miracles Christmas Ornaments and their stories here.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- NASA & Aerojet Rocketdyne: largest 3D printed part survives latest hot-fire test of RS-25 engine
- Zurich experts developing drug-coated 3D printed airway stents in $2.37M project
- Organismal engineering: new field combines tissue engineering & robotics for biohybrid robots
- Smart 3D printed window panels use a liquid layer to switch from clear to reflective
- 3D printed electric eel organs could power tomorrow's implantables for human and robots
- Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing rocks a stunning 3D printed gown by Iris Van Herpen
- Toshiba launches 3D printed 'Open Nail' project to offer custom-made false nails
- 3D-FeSy: 3D printed furniture suspension systems for comfy, tailor-made sofas
- GPhone is a 3D printed smartphone case that offers blood glucose monitoring on the go
- Researchers using 3D printing to explore evolution of the jaw, in ancient vertebrate fossils
- Nature-Inspired 3D printed gyroid composites much tougher than base materials, Masdar Institute finds
- A simplified process for 3D printing topographical maps
Where do we buy these from? Please
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
