Ex-'Survivor' auctioning off bikini for charity
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An auction listing shows the bikini worn by Stacy Kimball, who grew up in Moretown, during her appearances on Survivor last winter. Provided photo |
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By Daphne Larkin Times Argus Staff - Published: July 25, 2007
Anyone interested in snatching up a souvenir from the popular reality television series Survivor, with a Vermont tie to boot, has a chance thanks to one of last season's stars, who is auctioning off her trademark yellow bikini on eBay for charity.
Stacy Kimball, 27, who grew up in Moretown, is auctioning the bikini she wore for 36 days on Fiji during her Survivor stint last winter, with all proceeds going to the American Diabetes Association.
"My mother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age four," Kimball wrote in an e-mail. "I have seen the pain this causes firsthand, from taking insulin shots twice a day, strict and regimented diet and exercise, crippling arthritis, poor circulation, numerous eyes surgeries and bad kidneys."
"(But) it's not all bad because I've also seen through proper funding, research has made my mother's life a little easier and a little less painful. The doctors once said that she wouldn't live past the age of 30," Kimball added.
Warren Kimball, Stacy's father, said his wife, Susan, who has lived with diabetes for 53 years, is likely one of the oldest living Americans with diabetes.
"For a long time she took insulin shots three, four, five times a day, and in the last three-to-four years she has gone onto an insulin pump which provides her with insulin throughout the day," Warren Kimball explained. "(The pump) tries to mimic an organ in the body called the pancreas; it senses the blood sugar levels…and keeps the blood level at normal levels."
Within one day of the auction, bids for the yellow bikini were already up over $400.
The bikini, which is in the same condition as it was on Kimball's last day on the island (she came in sixth place and held a place on the tribal council that chose the final winner), was boiled regularly along with Kimball's other island clothes.
Stacy Kimball said she will launder the bikini or not, depending on the buyer's choice.
"It holds sentimental value to any fan of the show and will hold great value to me as a token of charity when sold," she said.
Stacy Kimball was born in South Korea and was adopted by her Vermont parents when she was six months old.
"When my parents had my brother, two miracles happened that day. He was born healthy and my mother made it through safe and sound. Rather than taking the health risk on a second biological child, they looked into adoption. This is where I come into the picture. Born in Seoul, S, Korea, at 6 months old I was lucky to end up in such a loving home. I don't really know where or how to begin to say thank you to my parents for being the pillars that have held me up for so many years. My words can come easy, but I'd rather have my actions speak for me," she said of the auction.
Kimball debuted on network television on Feb. 8 as one of 19 contestants trying to win the $1 million prize during the show's 14th installment, filmed last fall.
Kimball, who would not disclose if she won money from the show, lives and works in New York City now. She said adjusting back to everyday life after spending 36 days on an island as the subject of a television show was a process.
"I was giving Martha Stewart a run for her money when I first returned," Kimball said. "I had insomnia and remedied it by cooking, baking, knitting, painting, throwing dinner parties and reading. I took a few months off and made my way back to the center of who I am, surrounded myself by the people and things I enjoy most in life. I feel very lucky to have been given this experience."
Warren Kimball, who did not watch his daughter on television but is nonetheless very proud of her, said the family has been discussing ways to capitalize on their daughter's notoriety to benefit the ADA.
Depending on the success of this auction, Stacy Kimball said she may opt to auction two more Survivor outfits in the future.
Stacy Kimball said her mother is her hero.
"(My mother) maintains such a positive outlook on life and never complains about the cards that life has dealt her. I admire her strength and perseverance," Kimball said.
"The meaning behind my auction on eBay is really kind of simple," Kimball said. "It's about someone's daughter that loves her mother."
Contact Daphne Larkin at (802) 479-0191 ext.1171 or daphne.larkin@timesargus.com.
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