When finally your child's doctor diagnoses the terrible and painful symptoms of Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis in your child, you then know it is a life sentence. There is no cure. The bleeding, the razor-sharp pain, the vomiting, the swelling, the fatigue, the total feeling of being unwell -- each day a challenge -- continues on and on. And it continues without attention, without recognition, because who wants to talk about a child's problem with constant diarrhea or a child's colostomy? It is a hidden disease. These are forgotten children.

You are told that your child's intestine is like a soaker hose which cannot hold the nutrients from food. And you watch while either the steroid treatment used for Crohn's swells their face and bodies, or the lack of nourishment diminishes their small bodies to the size of children half their age.

Thousands of adults exist with Crohn's and Colitis, always wondering when the next severe onslaught will happen -- not able to plan a trip or even an evening out without apprehension.

We established the CH.I.L.D. Foundation to find a cure -- to establish research in collaboration with B.C.'s Children's Hospital under the aegis of Drs. David Israel, Eric Hassall, Rick Schreiber and Kevin Jacobson. Our focus is on a cure through research. We believe, too, that when we find a cure for children, it will ultimately be a cure for adults.

Our Foundation, is working around the clock to help these very sick children. But we need your financial contribution.

Please make a difference in the life of a sick child -- a forgotten child.

The CH.I.L.D. Foundation represents hope for the thousands of children suffering from digestive disorders and their families. They are counting on us to make a difference - and we are counting on you. With your help, we can provide more specialists, an improved clinic, research, medical and public education. Your gift will ensure that children receive care quickly, and that reseach is undertaken to provide new approaches to treatment, and to finding a cure.

Our first initiative was to raise $3 million -- and we reached that goal in June 2000! It took intense work by our dedicated Board of Directors. We are now embarked on our second phase, and that will establish the Digestive Disorder Programme under the direction of our renowned pediatric gastroentroligists.
This program will knit the various medical disciplines together and bring the collective wisdom and expertise to treating the children we serve. The need for funding this program and our research makes the continuation of our fund-raising efforts even more urgent.


Make every penny count
We were established in 1995 and in just 9 years, we have raised over $9 million, raised the public awareness of Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Liver Disorders in children, and begun the process to recruit the first of two scientific researchers.

When we reached the first plateau, the need for some assistance was recognized. In October 2000, we began to purchase some services which results in a more efficient operation. These services include secretarial and accounting help, but are kept to a minimum.

Our organization continues to operate from rent-free quarters with few expenses. All our advertising and public relations are donated. We want most of your donation to go to research for children. We have no travel expenses.

We know it is important to the donor that administration and operation of the foundation be kept to the lowest level possible.

Where do I direct my donation?
You can make a donation to the CH.I.L.D. Foundation by:

• Donating directly to the CH.I.L.D. Foundation - in which case you receive a tax receipt under tax exemption number BN 89897 4951 RR0001
  
  Donating through the United Way - providing you designate Specifically that the donated dollars are to go to the CH.I.L.D. Foundation, the United Way will send you a tax receipt and forward the donation to the CH.I.L.D. Foundation. We will acknowlege your gift with our letter as well.
  
  Donations made by VISA or Mastercard or American Express may be made on-line through our Donation Form, or by telephone in Vancouver (604) 736-0645 or Toll-free: 1-877-672-4453