The C.H.I.L.D. Foundation Update
The CH.I.L.D. Foundation Charitable Tax # UB1 602 313 627

The Foundation was co-founded by Grace M. McCarthy, O.C., LL.D., F.R.A.I.C. (Hon.), and Mr. J. Lindsay Gordon, President, HSBC Bank Canada at head office in Vancouver.

The following covers past accomplishments and future plans:

A Summary of CH.I.L.D.'s First Nine Years
Established a totally voluntary organization with very limited expenses.

Raised the level of awareness to the public through public relations and advertising, all of which have been totally donated.

Succeeded in raising $9 million dollars.

On September 5, 2001, we established an Endowed Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology Research at the University of British Columbia. THIS IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ON CANADA. Only the revenue from interest will be spent annually.

The University of British Columbia has provided a $500,000 matching Grant to CH.I.L.D. on the recommendation of the Dean of Medicine.

The Government of British Columbia has matched $1 million on the recommendation of the Premier and the Minister of Finance.

In March 2002, the Sydney Belzberg CH.I.L.D. Research Fund was named after the President of Budget Rental Cars for his support of our Foundation.

In December, 2003 and Endowment Deed was signed between the CH.I.L.D. Foundation and BC's Children's Hospital Foundation whereby CH.I.L.D. contributed $2 million and Children's Hospital Foundation contributed $1 million. The combined $3 million will be invested by the Hospital Foundation, and the resultant earnings of the fund provides one researcher. It is one of the largest amounts raised by a Foundation in the hospital's history.

We have recruited our first researcher, Dr. Bruce Vallance. The world-wide search resulted in an excellent medical scientist who began work in January 2003. He is now being assisted by, renowned Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Kevan Jacobson. Working alongside the doctors in the new research lab are research assistants Caixia Ma and Dr. Mohammad Khan.

Dr. Bruce Vallance

Dr. Kevan Jacobson & Caixia Ma

Dr. Mohammad Khan

We have had outstanding support from the BC's Children's Hospital where the research is being conducted. The help from the University of British Columbia's Medical Faculty has been equally outstanding.

Our goals for the first phase of the CH.I.L.D. Foundation have all been met. We are at a pivotal and defining point in our organization's short history. We interpret our plan in the following broad terms for the next five years:

Our First Researcher
An announcement was made in October 2002 introducing our first research scholar. This doctor is financed by the revenue from the $3.5 million Endowed Chair. The advantage of an Endowed Chair is that the yield from the principle is ongoing without touching the principle (Ensures funding in perpetuity).

Dr. Bruce Vallance has completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the Biotechnology Laboratory at UBC working with Dr. Brett Finlay. Dr. Vallance completed his Ph.D training at the Intestinal Diseases Research Programme at McMaster's University in Hamilton, Ontario.

Under the direction of Dr. Stephen Collins, Chief of Gastroenterology, Bruce developed models of inflammatory bowel disease and studied how parasite infections cause disease in the gastrointestinal tract, publishing several papers on these subjects. (To read more on Dr. Vallance, please go to the bottom of the Board of Directors page).

Medical Research Laboratory
The renovation to the research laboratory is now completed and up and running at BC's Children's Hospital. This lab will be used for approximately three years while the hospital and government are constructing a new building on site. When complete, all of our laboratory will be moved into larger quarters in the new structure.

It should be noted that the Gastroenterology Division of the Children's Hospital has been given emphasis on priority, which reflects the hospital's co-operation and awareness of the digestive problems associated with about 70 per cent of all the children admitted to hospital.


THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

The Team Approach
Now that our researchers are on board, it is imperative to surround them with a hard-working team of scientists who will, in co-ordination with the members of the scientific group, find solutions to the problems of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Therefore, ongoing fundraising to provide this team ensures our future success.

Our researcher can help greatly in the endeavour by applying for Research Grants under the National Research Council Grant system, and other research funding agencies. Effective research attracts research funds.

Better Co-ordination
We see the CH.I.L.D. Foundation as a catalyst for change. At the present time, too many individuals and groups of researchers work in isolation.

Our organization would like to see more sharing of knowledge to benefit all and to hasten our objectives. To this end, we will hold a series of meetings with all other I.B.D. researchers, and encourage electronic links across Canada, the United States, and the rest of the world. In this age of the internet, this system should be updated.

Administrative Strength
The CH.I.L.D. Foundation has become well known, has successfully raised $9 million, and has started meaningful action in just nine years. This accomplishment has been done with very little administrative cost and is probably the fastest acton ever taken by a group of volunteers.

Our Executive decided that an Administrator was required for the important work ahead, which includes establishing a network with the research community and CH.I.L.D., as well as the smooth operation of the Foundation. The Executive Director, Mary Parsons, was appointed in December 2002.

Vision of the Future
Our one and only focus is to find a cure for Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and liver disorders.

We are not there yet.

However, we do know that with the same intense effort as has been given over the past nine years, our chances of success in the next years will be phenomenal.

BUILD THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

Thanks to generous donors, researchers currently have 1,300 square feet of laboratory space at BC's Children's Hospital and one office. Within five years, it is anticipated the research group will grow to include five researchers along with technical support and trainees. Their research activities are projected to require between 8,000 and 10,000 square feet of laboratory space. This will be housed in the BC Research Institute's proposed Research Building Expansion Project, slated for completion in 2006.

Our goal is to develop the pediatric Gastroenterology Division at BC's Children's Hospital into a leading International Centre of Excellence. At the heart of our plan is the creation of a new research program that will see researchers and clinicians interacting on a daily basis, spanning the bridge between investigative science and real world treatment for patients.

We are also planning an Innovative Ideas in IBD Research Network - an interactive network that will facilitate the geographical exchange of vital information needed by doctors, researchers, and clinicians everywhere in their work to find answers to these debilitating disorders.

Co-Ordination of the Stakeholders

1. Parents/family diaglogue with medical representatives
2. Co-ordination of medical researchers who are in any way related to I.B.D.
3. Everyone be on the same wave length: to be determined to find a cure for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
4. This may take the form of regular meetings and most certainly by Internet interaction.

Outreach to Community
Continue to draw on community support for this cause by working well with groups and individuals and keeping the CH.I.L.D. Foundation name in the public eye.

Conclusion
We are not there yet. We are determined to find a cure. When a cure is found, our Board will, (besides celebrating), choose another needy children's illness and our funds will go to work for that cause. This committment is embodied in our Mission Statement.

We have an outstanding group of volunteers who meet regularly. We call them "Friends of CH.I.L.D." and they do many things to raise money and awareness.

To view our Friends of CH.I.L.D., click here.

To view our Board of Directors, click here.