Good For Nothing? Rosie Kilburn

Rosie Kilburn embarked on a heartfelt mission with her project, The Knock On Effect, after receiving a cancer diagnosis in February 2008. Determined to make a difference, Rosie organized a successful art auction that raised over £9,000, funding her initiative to design and sell t-shirts. The proceeds are donated to support cancer-related causes.

“The messages [on our t-shirts] are designed to be positive, and I know they are also controversial. I didn’t want to shy away from telling people about cancer. Volunteering is a great way to help your community and I wanted to be part of Good For Nothing to send out a positive message about young people. I’m fed up of all the negative press we get.”

Rosie’s Inspiring Journey

Rosie views herself as an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. At seventeen, she is balancing her A-level studies with a part-time job at Tesco and volunteering at her local Red Cross shop. Despite her cancer diagnosis, Rosie’s resilience and creativity allowed her to channel her experience into something transformative.

Recognizing the lack of support for those indirectly affected by cancer, Rosie initiated The Knock On Effect to fill this gap. She explained:

“There’s plenty of support for patients, but not nearly as much for the people around them who have to take care of them,” Rosie says. “I was tired of hearing negative and depressing comments and wanted to change the narrative.”

To convey a message of hope, she started a business selling t-shirts with inspirational slogans such as “The C Word,” “Survivors Not Sufferers,” and “Cancer Survivor.”

Building Skills and a Brand

Through her campaign, Rosie has developed skills in budgeting, branding, and public relations. Her brand, The Knock On Effect, resonates with many because cancer touches countless lives.

Rosie plans to expand her reach by producing a thousand limited edition t-shirts as part of her marketing strategy. She remains realistic about the impact of her auction:

“I had a strong background story. Without the cancer, the advertising, and the blog, there wouldn’t have been such a good response. The messages on the t-shirts are an easy way to reflect and project my feelings.”

She emphasizes the importance of positive thinking for survivors, noting its significant impact on well-being.

Looking Forward

Rosie is optimistic about her future and keeps her options open:

“I have no idea where I want to be in five or ten years’ time. I’m considering various career paths, from owning a theme park to being a wedding planner. Think big!”

Rosie also challenges the media portrayal of young people:

“Young people generally only really get bad press, and I don’t like how it’s always focused on the negative. It’s a small minority who cause trouble; why not look at the good things?”

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