Kin-CCFF

The friendship between Kinsmen and Kinettes and Canadians with cystic fibrosis (CF) began out of a conversatoin between Dr. Douglas Crozier, then Director of the CF Clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children, and Kinsman Bill Skelly. During a chance meeting at a Toronto pub in 1963, Dr. Crozier spoke to Bill about his young CF patients. This conversation left Bill interested in joining the fight against cystic fibrosis, and Dr. Crozier was invited to talk to the North York Kinsmen Club. Almost immediately, the North York Kinsmen enthusiastically backed the CF cause.

By 1964, Kin District 8 (Northern and Central Ontario) formally adopted the CCFF as its District Service Project. District 8′s commitment sparked the interest of other Districts, and before long, involvement spread Canada-wide, throughout the Kin organization. In 1987, Kin Canada adopted the CCFF as its National Service Project.

Kinsmen and Kinettes remain our loyal friends, continually fundraising for CCFF funded research and care programs, and promoting CF awareness. To-date, Kin members have raised more than $37 million for the CCFF. These funds have helped Canadian researchers make major strides in the fight against this disease.

The hard work and support of Kin Canada is deeply appreciated by young Canadians with cystic fibrosis. Since 1964, Kin and the CCFF have shared in many exciting accomplishments, including the discovery of the gene responsible for CF in 1989. The discover would not have been possible without the tremendous help of our Kin friends.

When Kinsmen and Kinettes first joined in the fight against CF, most children with the disease were not expected to live long enough to attend kindergarten. Today, children and young adults with cystic fibrosis are living into their late 30s and beyond. For almost every year of Kin support, we have earned an extra year of life for a child with CF. We could not have come so far, so fast, without the continued support of Kin.

Check out our Service section to view our District’s various Community Initiatives, including CCFF.