The limited-edition BLUNT x Otis Frizzell umbrella featuring playful rubber ducks and an electric blue hue has been specially designed by the well-known graphic designer famed for his graffiti art.

Born with only half a diaphragm, Mitchell lives with gastrointestinal failure and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Only given a 10 per cent chance of surviving birth and spending time in and out of intensive care for most of her life, Mitchell’s strength and resilience has made her a recognisable and admirable face amongst Kiwis.

The pair first met in 2017 when they worked on a Cure Kids campaign with Dr Siouxsie Wiles – ‘Fight Against Superbugs’. With New Zealand having the highest rates of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) in the developed world, Cure Kids funded Dr Wiles’ research into screening unique NZ/Pacific fungi to identify their potential to kill the superbug SA. Joining the charity’s work to combat antibiotic resistance, Frizzell designed a cartoon image of Mitchell as a superhero, visualising her fight against superbug MRSA.

It was this very moment when Frizzell learnt about Mitchell’s story and grew a new-found admiration for the 14-year-old. Her strength in believing that things will get easier has been a point of inspiration.

“Eva is a cool young woman. She was just a kid when I met her but boy is she built with the determination of a fighter. I know she’s had huge struggles in her life but what I love about her is that she’s exceptionally brave and funny”, says Frizzell.

Six years on and the pair has reconnected in the name of improving the lives of Kiwi children through the critical work of Cure Kids, New Zealand’s largest charitable funder of child health research. Excited to be involved in the Kiwi artist’s latest collaboration, Mitchell admits she’s a long-time lover of Frizzell’s art.

“I love Otis’ design of me as a Powerpuff girl! But my favourite is actually at our house and is Siouxsie as the Queen of Hearts which he did with Mike Weston”, says Eva. “I am so grateful for Otis, he is always doing what he can to support children like me and that means a lot”.

The limited-edition BLUNT x Otis umbrella is available to buy online at ShopGood, an online shopping platform that’s all about doing good, for $129 with $20 from each purchase going towards Cure Kids. Shipping is free thanks to support from Aramex. For more details visit ShopGood.co.nz.

“I just really hope help is available when kids and their families need it. I’m stoked to be contributing to that,” says Frizzell.