1974-2024: Research, community, awareness, resources
In April 1974, a group of concerned parents gathered for a meeting with a goal – to raise money for research into Crohn’s and colitis. At that time, research funding was practically non-existent. Awareness of the diseases was practically non-existent.
On July 1, 1976, the Canadian Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis was born – the charity that is now Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
Since 1974, we have funded 400 grants, investing $145 million into world-leading Canadian research, including projects that offer realistic hope for a cure. In addition, we offer innovative services – youth camps, apps, and trusted information on-line, in person and by webinar. Equally important is how we reduce the loneliness and isolation of living with or caring for someone with Crohn’s and colitis.
Join us for our next 50 years – we are just getting started!
Watch some of our founders talk about the beginnings of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
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50 years of discovery, impact and hope
In our first 50 years, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada has partnered to achieve an unmatched record of improving the lives of people affected – along with hope for future impact.
Research
Since our first research grant in 1976 to 2024, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada has invested $145 million into research. Some of results:
- In 2023, the Genetic, Environmental and Microbial (GEM) Project published the finding that the gut bacteria combination of those who develop Crohn’s disease is different from those who remain healthy – years before they develop Crohn’s. This offers real hope for a cure. Read the full story.
- The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada report offers a comprehensive snapshot of the state of care and implications for the future. First issued in 2008 and published every five years since then, these reports offer a deep understanding of the status of Crohn’s and colitis in Canada, an essential resource for anyone working in the field or studying these diseases.
Other research milestones include:
- 1983-1990 – Research centres at the University of Calgary and McMaster University created with seven-year investments – and commitments from the universities to support the centres after that. They have successfully attracted and retained researchers
- 1990s - First population database for Manitoba showed highest rates of Crohn’s in the world. Other provinces adopted similar methods, all showing high rates
- 2000 - Study identifies genes that contribute to Crohn’s susceptibility in families with early-onset disease, which helps identify targets for future studies
- 2000 - Study identifies genes that contribute to Crohn’s susceptibility in families with early-onset disease, helping identify targets for future studies
- 2000 - New practices developed based on learning that incidence of fractures among persons with Crohn’s or colitis is 40% greater than general population
- 2001 - Discovery that those with Crohn’s or colitis have a three-times greater risk of developing deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- 2015 - Study shows incidence of pediatric Crohn’s and colitis rising in Canada, and children of immigrants have similar rates as non-immigrants
- 2016 - Launch of Promoting Access and Care through Centres of Excellence (PACE) network – Canada's first multidisciplinary network of Crohn’s and colitis centres of excellence
Services for those affected
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada offers an unmatched range of national programs that make life a little easier for those affected:
- Camp Got2Go gives kids with Crohn’s and colitis a full, fun camp experience
- Gutsy Peer Support offers online mentoring for newly diagnosed
- Free apps
- GoHere washroom locator lets people know of nearby washrooms – no questions asked
- MyGut helps track daily ups and downs to identify trends and insights
- Trustworthy information – brochures, educational events (online and in-person) and an online community
- Crohn’s and Colitis Connect is an online community offering support to navigating the ups and downs of living with Crohn’s or colitis
By the numbers
| 41 |
Number of ongoing funded research projects in 2024 |
| 393 |
Total number of grants funded since 1974 |
| $145 million |
Total amount invested in research since 1974 |
| $22 million |
Investment in the Genetic, Environmental and Microbiome (GEM) Project looking into causes of Crohn’s disease since 2008 |
| 139 |
Students who have received a $5,000 AbbVie IBD Scholarship |
| 3,450 |
GoHere locations listed on app |
| 46,000 |
GoHere app downloads |
| 10,600 |
MyGut accounts |
| 2014 |
Year Camp Got2Go started |
| 55 |
Number of Gutsy Learning Series recorded sessions |
| 92,000 |
Views of Gutsy Learning Series online recorded sessions |
| 1.1 million |
Visitors to our websites in 2023 |
| $52 million |
Raised at Gutsy Walks since launched in 1995 |
We celebrate the hope and impact generated by our research and services. At the same time, they spur us to do even more.
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More urgent than ever
The number of people in Canada living with Crohn’s or colitis is growing relentlessly:
342,000
in 2024, close to 0.9% of the population
467,000
in 2034, almost 1% of the population
The number of those being diagnosed is also increasing:
12,000
1 every 44 minutes
13,500
1 every 39 minutes
Of concern is the fact that the increase in numbers is being driven by diagnoses in children, particularly those under the age of 6. Canada has one of the highest rates of pediatric Crohn’s and colitis in the world. Traditionally, Crohn’s or colitis is diagnosed between the ages of 20-30.
For more in-depth information, follow the link below
Did You Know...