Annual Report 2008-2009 To make a contribution, to become a volunteer or to obtain more copies of this report, please contact us : Français Pour obtenir la version française de ce rapport, veuillez communiqué avec nous. 300, Berge-du-Canal, bureau 317, Lachine, Quebec H8R 1H3 Fax : 514 595-5745 • Email : [email protected] Table of Contents Our Mission Our Mission............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 “Children’s Health Research: To ensure a healthy future for Our History.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 children by increasing public awareness of the wide impact of children’s diseases and by raising funds to advance A Message from the Chairman of the Board ............,............................................................................................... 5 pediatric research.” A message from the Chief Executive Officer .......................................................................................................... 6 Jérémi’s Story ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 In 2008, the Foundation celebrated its 32nd Telethon. Thirty two-years during which the Foun- Presentation of the Board of Directors ........................................................................................................................... 8 dation raised funds which lead to medical discoveries that have forever revolutionized the way children’s diseases are treated to give them back their health and their lives! Foundation Employees....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Committees ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Thanks to our founders, our thousands of partners and a growing number of volunteers, Quebec pediatric researchers have made enormous strides and given us many victories to Our Regional Directors ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 celebrate. For example, the survival rate of children with lymphoblastic leukemia has gone from 20% to 80% – four children in five now survive this terrible disease. Our Special Events................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Volunteer Activities ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Using innovative, high-density DNA micro- The discovery of new vaccines has drama- Financial Highlights ................................................................................................................................................................................. 15 chip technology, researchers have identified tically decreased the spread of contagious a fifth gene of the 15 genes suspected of diseases such as meningitis and rubella Distribution of Funds to Pediatric Research Centres .................................................................................... 15 being related to Type 1 diabetes. (German measles). Our Collaborators in Service of Research..................................................................................................................... 16 18 Establishment of the first umbilical cord blood Research now allows doctors to save the Our Partners and Sponsors ........................................................................................................................................................... blank in Quebec in 2003. Umbilical cord blood lives of premature babies weighing as little transfusion allows the replacement of blood as 500 grams at birth. Our Governors .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 cells for individuals suffering from otherwise incurable diseases, such as certain forms of Our Service Clubs ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 leukemias. The success rate of pediatric liver, heart and lung transplants has increased markedly. The kidney transplant success rate now In the past 45 years, the median life expec- exceeds 85%! tancy of children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis has risen from 4 to 37 years. There has been a 50% reduction in sudden infant death syndrome. Combination therapies have effectively elimi- nated the transmission of HIV from mother to infant during pregnancy, reducing the trans- mission rate from over 30% in 1993 to 0% today. Annual Report 2008-2009 Annual Report 3 Table of Contents Our Mission Our Mission............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 “Children’s Health Research: To ensure a healthy future for Our History.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 children by increasing public awareness of the wide impact of children’s diseases and by raising funds to advance A Message from the Chairman of the Board ............,............................................................................................... 5 pediatric research.” A message from the Chief Executive Officer .......................................................................................................... 6 Jérémi’s Story ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 In 2008, the Foundation celebrated its 32nd Telethon. Thirty-two years during which the Foun- Presentation of the Board of Directors ........................................................................................................................... 8 dation raised funds which lead to medical discoveries that have forever revolutionized the way children’s diseases are treated to give them back their health and their lives! Foundation Employees....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Committees ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Thanks to our founders, our thousands of partners and a growing number of volunteers, Quebec pediatric researchers have made enormous strides and given us many victories to Our Regional Directors ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 celebrate. For example, the survival rate of children with lymphoblastic leukemia has gone from 20% to 80% – four children in five now survive this terrible disease. Our Special Events................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Volunteer Activities ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Using innovative, high-density DNA micro- The discovery of new vaccines has drama- Financial Highlights ................................................................................................................................................................................. 15 chip technology, researchers have identified tically decreased the spread of contagious a fifth gene of the 15 genes suspected of diseases such as meningitis and rubella Distribution of Funds to Pediatric Research Centres .................................................................................... 15 being related to Type 1 diabetes. (German measles). Our Collaborators in Service of Research..................................................................................................................... 16 18 Establishment of the first umbilical cord blood Research now allows doctors to save the Our Partners and Sponsors ........................................................................................................................................................... blank