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What SickKids Foundation has been able to invest in paediatric health care, although critical, pales in comparison to the health issues currently facing our children.

Why we need your support:

• There are more than 100,000 patients who rely on the life-saving care provided at SickKids each year.
• Three out of every 100 children are living with a disability or chronic illness.
• Cancer is the most common cause of disease-related death in Canada’s children and the rate of occurrence continues to rise.
• One in 100 children is born with a heart defect.
• There are 5,000 diseases affecting children that have a genetic or hereditary component including: asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and chromosomal diseases.
• Each year more than 3,000 new cases of childhood epilepsy are diagnosed.
• At least five of every 1,000 children in Canada suffer a stroke.

What you’ve helped make possible over the past 35 years:

• SickKids Foundation was established in 1972. In the 35 years since it was established, the Foundation, through community support, has generated $1 billion towards children’s health care.
• Next to government, the Foundation is the largest funding agency in child health research, care, training and education in Canada.
• SickKids Foundation ranks as the fourth largest foundation by total assets out of more than 2,600 foundations in Canada.
• SickKids Foundation has the largest endowment for a hospital in Canada. The endowment fund totals over $500 million. The permanence of the endowment enables a greater investment in children’s health by guaranteeing funds in perpetuity. The benefits are that in addition to fundraising targets, the endowment also earns interest that is put towards the highest priority needs of the hospital.
• SickKids Foundation is the most diversified fundraising organization in Canada with 24 different fundraising programs.
• SickKids Foundation raises funds for The Hospital for Sick Children, recognized as one of the top three children’s hospitals in the world.
• Without philanthropy, SickKids Research Institute wouldn’t exist. SickKids Foundation provides base funding for the research institute, including $44 million in 2006/07, representing 29 per cent of the $150 million annual operating budget. SickKids Research Institute is an internationally-recognized research facility. It conducts more research than any other hospital in Canada.
• SickKids Foundation is the only hospital foundation to have a national program to offer research grants and educational awards to paediatric researchers across the country. The National Grants Program is the vision of the original founders of the Foundation. In 35 years, the program has directed more than $70 million to build capacity in child health, and to support the creation of knowledge in areas where there are gaps.
• All research grants are subject to peer review. More than 70 volunteers who are experts from across Canada ensure that grant decisions are made in accordance with the highest standards. The Canadian Institute for Health Research, through the Institute for Human Development, Child and Youth Health, is a valued funding partner.
• The Foundation also supports critical national collaboration in paediatrics through operating grants to the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres, the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program, and the National Child and Youth Health Coalition. The funds we provide allow these organizations to advance important issues in child health to benefit all Canadian children, by supporting coordinated national efforts in paediatric research and improvements to clinical practice.
• Through its Conference Grants Program, the Foundation provides funds for conferences, workshops or symposia that are relevant to the health of Canada’s children. These funds support events across Canada organized by and for families with children who have health challenges such as acute or chronic illness or disabilities. The conferences enable information sharing between families, health professionals and community organizations.
• For the year ending March 31, 2007, SickKids Foundation raised $81.5 million, representing an increase of 15% over the previous year.
• SickKids Foundation is a registered adherent to the Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code of Imagine.
• Only 20 cents of every dollar of revenue goes to fundraising and administration.