Dion's Cystic Fibrosis Foundation goes on

January 31, 2005 at 06:47 PM

New Research Initiative Takes Aim at Cystic Fibrosis
Peter C. Godsoe leads Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's fundraising
campaign

TORONTO, Jan. 31 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of the Canadian Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) announced today the launch of a new $6-million
research program called Breathe (Basic Research and Therapy). This ambitious
research initiative will fund two teams of scientific and clinical
investigators, chosen through a Canada-wide competition, over a five-year
period. Both teams will target CF at the cellular level, through protein
therapy.
"CF research is often focused on finding new treatments for the disease,
whereas Breathe is unique because it targets the basic defect in cystic
fibrosis," explained Cathleen Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of the
Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "By taking direct aim at the cause of CF,
Breathe holds potential for greater improvements in the quality of life of
children and adults with the disease."
The Breathe research initiative will include the work of outstanding
cystic fibrosis investigators. One team is being led by Dr. John Hanrahan from
McGill University, while Dr. Christine Bear, from The Hospital for Sick
Children, is leading the other team.
The Breathe research program has received strong backing from Canadian
businesses, foundations, and families, as well as from government-funded
agencies. In fact, the CCFF's Breathe campaign has already raised more than
75 per cent of its goal!
The Breathe initiative is also co-sponsored by the Institute of
Circulatory and Respiratory Health, and the Institute of Infection and
Immunity of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
"CIHR is pleased to be able to support such an innovative initiative that
we believe could lead to a new understanding and new treatments for people
with CF," said Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of CIHR. "Starting with the
identification of the CF gene, Canada has a long tradition of excellence in CF
research."
The CCFF's Celebrity Patron, Céline Dion, and her husband René Angélil were pleased to kick-off the campaign with its first gift. To date, they have
contributed $750,000. The couple continually support the CF cause in memory of
Céline's niece, Karine, who died from CF at the age of 16.
"I have been a witness to the destruction and sadness that cystic
fibrosis can leave in its wake," said Peter C. Godsoe, Breathe's National
Honorary Chair. "The Foundation and I would like to extend our heartfelt
gratitude to Breathe's regional chairs and their dedicated teams.
Specifically, the regional chairs: James Mountain, Managing Director and Head
of Institutional Equities, Scotia Capital Inc., in Ontario; Dr. George
Pedersen, former President of five Canadian universities, in British Columbia;
and Micheline Martin, President, Quebec Headquarters, RBC Royal Bank, in
Quebec, have been instrumental to the campaign's success."

The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a Canada-wide health charity,
with 52 volunteer chapters, that funds cystic fibrosis research and care.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common, fatal, genetic disease affecting young
Canadians. It attacks the lungs and the digestive system. The CCFF is a world
leader in the fight against CF. The gene responsible for CF was identified in
1989 by a Canadian-led team of researchers supported by the Canadian Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation. Canadian investigators continue to play a leading role in
the worldwide race to find a cure or control for the disease. When the CCFF
was established in 1960, most children with CF did not live long enough to
attend kindergarten; today, half of all Canadians with CF are expected to live
into their late 30s, and beyond. www.cysticfibrosis.ca

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is the Government of Canada's
agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to
internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation
of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more
effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care
system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to
more than 9,000 researchers and research teams in every province of Canada.
www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For further information: Contact: Jennifer Caldwell, Media Relations
Officer, Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, jcaldwell@cysticfibrosis.ca,
1-800-378-2233 ext. 290, (416) 485-9149 ext. 290; Janet Weichel, Media
Specialist, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, (613) 941-4563, (Cell)
(613) 447-4794