About Us

History

The CH.I.L.D. Foundation was established in 1995 to fund research for children who are stricken with Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and liver disorders. We are a federally registered organization, and our charitable tax number is BN 89897 4951 RR0001. We are fueled by dedicated volunteers and have created an unprecedented public awareness, due in large part by donated support from the media and the business community. The CH.I.L.D. Foundation has taken this severely under-funded health issue in children and raised the profile to such an extent that health providers and hospital leaders, as well as the general public, are much more attentive to the needs of these children.

It has been twenty-five years since Grace McCarthy, OC, OBC, Lindsay Gordon, and Mary McCarthy Parsons founded The CH.I.L.D. Foundation. The Foundation has established the very first Endowed Chair in Canada for Pediatric Gastroenterology Research at the University of British Columbia and the first Endowed Program at BC Children’s Hospital.

We have built BC’s first research lab on the site of the BC Children’s Hospital. It now has twenty researchers and investigative staff and they are receiving National recognition for their work.  A grant from the Government of British Columbia allowed us to initiate a Collaborative Approach to finding a cure for I.B.D., the first Canada-wide program. Imagine! All those in clinical and research centres all working together to focus on finding the cure!

A total coordinated approach for care from bench research to bedside is envisioned, where young patients have the benefit of a coordinated approach from knowledgeable health care professionals and dedicated research scientists.