CANADIAN ALLERGY ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY FOUNDATION (CAAIF)
Our Mission
To fund and support research in allergy, asthma, anaphylaxis, and immunology to improve the health of Canadians.
Our Vision
To fund cutting edge research towards a cure for allergy.
SLOGAN: One foundation, One goal: Live life with no allergies!
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FOUNDATION NEWS
The CAIFF board continues to work on revitalizing board membership, fundraising, and realizing its strategic plan. The CAAIF reception in Vancouver continued its tradition as a great evening of socialization with colleagues and friends. This year, in addition to our silent auction, we had our inaugural “CAIFF run” which attracted close to 60 participants. We hope to continue this initiative at future meetings. Many thanks to Dr. Don Stark, Ms. Lori Turk, Ms. Kimberly Naines-Naudi, Ms. Kimberley Wong and Mr. Jake Stubbs for all their efforts. Thank you also to the AAIA, which presented a $3,000 donation to the Foundation, raised from their runs across Canada
I am also very pleased to announce the launch of three CAAIF grants: the “Marc Lucas Memorial Fund Grant”, for food allergy and anaphylaxis research in Canada, specifically in children. As stated by Madame Pierrette Lucas “Marc’s family has established a Memorial Fund in his name with the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation. Marc Lucas, aged 43 years old, lost his life in a tragic accident due to an allergic reaction to foods on January 28th 2015 while on a business trip to Norway. He is survived by the great love of his life his wife Amélie Trépanier, as well as his four adored children Emma, Gabrielle, Nolan and Lévi. Marc was a graduate of McGill University Mining Engineering School. He was always aware of his severe allergies and the current treatments yet this did not prevent his sudden death. He would wish research averting what happened to him. Research aimed at children above all.
The second is the CAAIF /AlleGen NCE Inc. two one-year Research Fellowships totaling $100,000.The goal of the CAAIF / AllerGen Research Fellowships is to enable clinical and basic science trainees in the field to pursue further research. These will include a $60,000 Research Fellowship for Clinicians with training in Clinical Immunology and Allergy and one for $40,000 for Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
And third, the Foundation can also support a small number of start-up grants for research projects. These CAAIF Research Grants will provide up to $25,000. The CAAIF research committee, chaired by Dr. Harissios Vliagoftis, will be overseeing the process of application and peer review. For more information on the above grants/fellowships, please visit our website at www.allergyfoundation.ca
These are exciting opportunities, and in keeping with the Foundation’s mission to support research and education in Clinical Immunology and Allergy. More to follow on some exciting initiatives at our next annual scientific meeting in Montreal.
A happy and healthy holiday and new year to all !
Dr. Susan Waserman, CAAIF President