CF Canada Celebrates 60 years of Partnership with Kin Canada at Annual Convention
SEPTEMBER 15, 2024
This August, Cystic Fibrosis Canada and Kin Canada celebrated their long-lasting partnership at the 60th annual Kin Canada Convention in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. As CF Canada’s partner since 1964, Kinsmen,Kinettes and Kin Clubs gathered alongside CF Canada team members to reflect on the deep-rooted commitment to those living with cystic fibrosis.
This year’s convention highlighted the significant contributions that Kin Canada has and continues to make in advancing CF Canada’s mission, with the notable Service Gala delivering a heartfelt address by Kin-CF Liaison Commitee Chair Lisa W. Burechails as she passes the role over to incoming chair, Brandon Ward, for the 2024-2026 term.
Outstanding Kin clubs and districts were recognized with the following 2023 Kin awards:
- Billy Skelly Award: Kinette Club of Tisdale, District 3 and Hensall District Kinettes, District 1
- Ian F. McClure Award: Christopher Beausoleil
Additionally, CF Canada highlighted impressive fundraising figures from 2023, including over $560,000 raised collectively across the nation by Kinsmen and Kinettes through fundraisers such as raffles, lotteries, bingos, and more. The dedication of Kin members was further emphasized by the acknowledgement of over 380,000 hours of service across Canada in support of many causes,equivalent to over 43 years of service, in the past year alone.
Since being affiliated with CF Canada since 1964, Kin Canada have raised more than $51 million in support of the organization, contributing to significant advancements in research, clinical care, and advocacy for those living with the rare disease, and marking the largest cumulative donation in CF Canada’s history.
What began as a conversation in 1963 between Dr. Douglas Crozier, then director of the CF Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children, and Kinsmen Bill Skelly, has now transpired into the longest-standing partnership for CF Canada. At the onset of Kin’s dedication to CF, children with the disease were not expected to live beyond the age of four. Today, thanks to advancements driven by Kin’s contributions, over 60 percent of Canadians with CF today are adults who are living well into adulthood.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is profoundly grateful for Kin Canada’s steadfast support and looks forward to many more years of successful collaboration. CF Canada thanks all Kinsmen and Kinettes who have and continue to donate their time for the shared mission of a life without limits for all Canadians living with CF.
We thank Lisa W. Burechails for her outstanding service and commitment as CF-Kin Liaison Committe Chair (2022-24). Under her leadership, District Service Directors made significant strides in fundraising, volunteering, and advocacy, making a lasting impact. We now welcome the incoming Chair, Brandon Ward, of Stayner Kinsmen Club, for the 2024-2026 term. We can’t wait to see the great things and positive impact he’ll achieve in this role!
