The Big Picture
Few things in life inspire more awe or hope than the miracle of a newborn child. When well nurtured and cared for in their earliest years, children are more likely to survive, to grow in a healthy way, to have less disease and fewer illnesses, and to fully develop thinking, language, emotional and social skills. In just one generation, these human gains can help break the cycles of poverty, disease and violence that affect so many countries.

Out of 100 children born in a year, 30 will most likely suffer from malnutrition in their first five years of life, 26 will not be immunized against the basic childhood diseases, 19 will lack access to safe drinking water and 40 to adequate sanitation, and 17 will never go to school. In developing countries, every fourth child lives in abject poverty, in families with an income of less than $1 a day.

The most egregious consequence is that nearly 11 million children each year – about 30,000 children a day – die before reaching their fifth birthday, mostly from preventable causes. Of these children, 4 million die in their first month of life.

Even when children do survive, they too often do not thrive, suffering from diminished learning capabilities and other disadvantages that limit their overall prospects for reaching their full potential.

The process of giving children the best start in life begins even before birth. Poor nutrition and ill health on the part of a mother can lead to low birth weight in her children, putting them at much greater risk of developmental delay, malnutrition and death.

Purpose of the Patient Registry:
Foundation Fighting Blindness-Canada and CIBC have awarded Dr. Héon a grant to develop a National (Canada) Children’s Vision Research Registry, which is a medical information database that will capture patients affected with retinal dystrophies.

The purpose of capturing these patients is to better understand the natural history of retinal dystrophies, standardize clinical assessment, and most importantly identify patients that could be eligible for clinical trials and/or other therapeutic opportunities that may become available in the near future.

This registry has the potential of expanding into a multi-centered project, but for now it will only involve patients at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Description of the Research:
The FFB/CIBC Children’s Vision Research Registry is an internet-based medical registry for retinal dystrophies. Retinal dystrophies are a group of genetic eye disorders that affect the retina of the eye. The retina is an important layer at the back of the eye, which picks up light and sends images to the brain. People who have a retinal dystrophy cannot see as well as other people because their retina is not working properly.

You are asked to be part of The FFB/CIBC Children’s Vision Research Registry. This medical database will allow scientists/physicians access to large amount of medical information that will allow them to better understand the natural history of retinal eye disorders such as the one in your family. This project will ultimately provide you and other patients, with retinal eye disorders, the opportunity to be studied by other doctors, which will allow them to determine you eligibility for clinical trials and/or new treatments that may become available in the near future.

No immediate benefit from participating in this study is expected. However, when clinical trials and other therapies become available in the future, your eligibility for treatment will be determined and you will be managed following the standard of care protocols in place at SickKids. If we also find that you are eligible for any new Foundation Fighting Blindness and SickKids Research Ethics Board approved research projects that develop from the FFB/CIBC Children’s Vision Research Registry you will be notified.

You will be informed of any changes made to the study or new information that might affect your willingness to continue to participate in the research.

TeamMS is a complimentary program to the MS Walk, RONA MS Bike Tour and other fundraising events.

Every year in Canada thousands of participants join together to take the TeamMS challenge and walk, run, cycle or golf on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

We invite you to join with at least three of your friends, family and co-workers to create your own team. Experience the camaraderie and excitement of TeamMS while helping to further the fight against multiple sclerosis.

MS Research Accomplishments During Past 10 Years

MS research continues to advance knowledge of the disease and treatment for people with MS. There is much greater understanding of this unpredictable, often disabling disease. Many of those accomplishments have taken place in the past 10 years thanks to the support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and its sister national MS societies around the world, many governments and private industry. Here are some key advances:

* There are treatments for some types of multiple sclerosis.
o They are useful in relapsing MS
o Their impact on development of disability still not clear

* Researchers have developed “windows” into the disease through technology.
o MRI scanning assists doctors in diagnosing MS more quickly
o Canadians are leaders in MRI and other magnetic resonance technology to measure disease activity within the central nervous system

* We have evidence myelin can and does regrow spontaneously which indicates repair is possible.
o Myelin repair and regrowth takes place in the early stages of MS
o Studies are underway using the body’s own cells to repair myelin

* Investigators have a better understanding of the nature of MS which means some types of MS can be more effectively managed. This is because of :
o Studies of MS tissue (pathology)
o Studies of the immune system (immunology)
o Studies of the way MS naturally progresses without treatment (natural history studies)

* Scientists have identified key molecules responsible for initiating the abnormal immune system response in MS.
o Identifying the “culprits” will lead to better therapies

* There is understanding that both genetic and environmental factors are important in the cause of MS.
o More than one gene is involved
o The excess of MS in some families is due to genetic factors
o A major genetic study is taking place in Canada

* Studies have found that MS is a costly disease.
o The cost of MS is higher than many other diseases because it lasts a lifetime
o Most of the cost of MS is borne by people with MS and their families
o The cost of the disease is greater the more disabled a person becomes

Circle of Care is dedicated to supporting independence and of the quality of life of individuals in their homes. Circle of Care is a community based non-profit registered charity that has been serving Toronto and area residents since 1974. Over 450 staff and more than 300 volunteers are available to provide assistance in your home.

Offering a wide range of home and community programs, including homemaking and personal support, social work and volunteer supported services, we strive to help clients live as comfortably as possible in their own home environments, and reduce the challenges they face due to physical, emotional, cognitive or mental health issues.

Circle of Care’s outstanding staff and volunteers care about our clients. We strive to enhance quality of life and ensure safety and dignity. We respect privacy, cultural diversity and the unique needs of each client.

Circle of Care is an accredited agency of Accreditation Canada, a member agency of the United Way Toronto and an affiliate of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. Circle of Care provides service on behalf of four Community Care Access Centres (Central, Central East, Central West and Toronto Central) and the City of Toronto’s Homemakers and Nurses Services Program. Circle of Care receives grant funding from the Central Local Health Intregration Network (Ministry of Health and Long Term Care), Community Services Grants Program of the City of Toronto, United Way Toronto, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

In addition to public awareness activities, the MS Society is also in the midst of its spring fundraising season in May. The MS Carnation Campaign, held just before Mother’s Day, funds MS research and services through the sale of carnations by community volunteers. In many parts of the country, MS Walks are also underway.

For people living with multiple sclerosis the “cure” means different things to different people. For people who have just been diagnosed, the cure will stop MS in its tracks. For people who have lived with MS and have experienced loss of mobility and other serious impairments, the cure means repair of the nervous system and recovery of lost functions.

For people with a family history of MS, the cure will allow their children or grandchildren to live a life free from MS.

The research funded by the MS Society addresses all three definitions of a cure. Research is multi-faceted but with clear purpose:

* to find a cure for MS,
* protect the nervous system and repair damage caused by MS, and
* improve monitoring and management of the disease.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada marks one year anniversary of endMS campaign
With over $41 million raised, five regional research and training centres launched and a growing number of educational events aimed at MS researchers and trainees, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada proudly marks one year since the launch of its endMS capital campaign.

In this video, Yves Savoie, president and chief executive officer of the MS Society of Canada highlights the achievements since the inception of the campaign.

Our Mission

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews™ of Canada is a registered Canadian non-profit. Our charitable registration number is 86941 1587 RR0001.

Our mission is to foster better relations and understanding between Christians and Jews; encourage greater cooperation between both communities on issues of shared biblical concern; and support Israel and Jews in crises or need.

Building Bridges

Misunderstanding and prejudice between Jews and Christians remain today, in large part, due to a lack of communication between the two groups. This is particularly true in Jewish relations with Evangelicals. Issues inevitably arise that create tension and ill will between the communities. In addition, many opportunities for inter-religious cooperation through joint programs on behalf of shared concerns are lost due to this lack of communication. It is against such a 2,000 year backdrop of fear, ignorance and mistrust that the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada carries out its bridge-building work.

Every year in Canada thousands of participants join together to take the TeamMS challenge and walk, run, cycle or golf on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

We invite you to join with at least three of your friends, family and co-workers to create your own team. Experience the camaraderie and excitement of TeamMS while helping to further the fight against multiple sclerosis.

For our corporate partners it’s a chance to socialize outside of the office while promoting company unity, pride and team spirit.
Our TeamMS staff will reduce the demand on your time and resources with on-going support and motivational activities and incentives. This includes:

* Establishing TeamMS goals, plans and activities;
* Help registering your team;
* Provide tools to assist with recruitment and fundraising efforts including a Team Captain’s Handbook full of hints, tips and advice;
* VIP treatment including team captain gifts, team photos and the opportunity to win great team prizes and awards