Kin Canada reaches record-breaking $50 million in cumulative donations to Cystic Fibrosis Canada
TORONTO, August 21, 2021 – Today at Kin Canada’s Annual General Meeting, Cystic Fibrosis Canada President Kelly Grover announced to members that Kin Canada has raised an incredible $50,000,000 over the duration of the Cystic Fibrosis Canada-Kin Canada partnership. This is the largest cumulative donation in Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s 60-year history.
With the partnership dating back to 1964, the all-Canadian service organization Kin Canada is Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s longest standing partner. Over the years, Kin Canada club members have contributed to the partnership in several ways, including donating and raising funds through events such as the Walk to Make CF History, organizing community fundraisers, helping local Cystic Fibrosis Canada chapters, advocating for access to life-changing medications, and more, all while spending countless hours volunteering to enrich their local communities. The challenges presented by the global pandemic didn’t dampen the dedication of Kin Canada in its support the cystic fibrosis (CF) community. Over the past two years many clubs and members stepped up their contributions, donating more than they ever have before because they knew that the CF community in Canada needed their help.
“This achievement is a result of the time and dedication of the passionate Kin Canada club members who, since 1964, have supported Canadians impacted by cystic fibrosis,” said Lisa Burechails, Chair of the Kin-CF Liaison Committee. “It is Kin Canada’s mission to serve the greatest needs of Canadian communities, no matter the challenge, and there is no better example than what Kin Canada has achieved with Cystic Fibrosis Canada. I am incredibly proud of my fellow Kin, both past and present, for raising $50 million in cumulative funds donated to CF Canada.”
The support from Kin Canada has had a tremendous impact on the lives of thousands of Canadians living with cystic fibrosis. Donations help to fund breakthrough research, treatments, quality clinical care, expanding resources and support available to the Canadian cystic fibrosis community and Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s work advocating for access to medications. Most recently, this included closing the gap in access to the life-changing medicine Trikafta.
“We are blown away by the contributions of Kin Canada clubs. Reaching $50 million in cumulative donations, during a global pandemic no less, is just incredible,” said Kelly Grover, President and CEO, Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “Kin Canada has been a tremendous partner to Cystic Fibrosis Canada for more than half a century, and the contributions of Kin Canada club members – be it financial with this achievement, or through their time and support, have been amazing and helped us go further for the cystic fibrosis community. We send our deepest thank you to each and every Kin who has been involved with Cystic Fibrosis Canada over the past 57 years.”
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is honoured to be part of an outstanding partnership with Kin Canada.
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About Kin Canada
There are over 400 Kin Canada clubs and 6000 members across Canada. Since 1920, Kinsmen, Kinettes, and Kin have invested over 1 billion dollars in Canadian communities. For more information or to inquire about getting involved, see www.kincanada.ca.
About cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting 4,344 Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure. Of the Canadians with cystic fibrosis who died in the past three years, half were under the age of 34. Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, degenerative multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs and digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects are most devastating, a build-up of thick mucus causes severe respiratory problems. Mucus and protein also build up in the digestive tract, making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. In addition to the physical effects of the disease, mental health concerns are emerging; anxiety and depression are common among this population. Double lung transplants are the final option for patients with end-stage disease; most fatalities of people with CF are due to lung disease.
About Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada has dramatically changed the cystic fibrosis story. We have advanced research and care that has more than doubled life expectancy. Since being founded by parents in 1960, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has grown into a leading organization with a central role engaging people living with cystic fibrosis, parents and caregivers, volunteers, researchers and healthcare professionals, government and donors. We work together to change lives for the 4,344 Canadian children and adults living with cystic fibrosis through treatments, research, information and support. Despite our remarkable progress together, we are not yet done. Not when half of the Canadians with cystic fibrosis who died in the past three years were under the age of 34. We will keep pushing, keep going further until all people with cystic fibrosis can and do experience everything life has to offer —and enjoy everything life has to offer. Learn more at cysticfibrosis.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Ouellette, Manager
Tel: 647-520-8593
Email: jouellette@cysticfibrosis.ca
Nicole Young, Director
Tel: (905) 317-5529
Email: nyoung@cysticfibrosis.ca
