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• Did you know?

• SickKids treat more than 100,000 patients each year.

• In Canada, about 1,400 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. SickKids treats about 25 per cent of those children. Today, more than 80 per cent of these children will survive.

• Autism affects four times more males than females.

• Most children with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Every month is SickKids month

Cameron and Thomas, brothers both diagnosed with autism, are participating in research led by Dr. Stephen Scherer to find the genetic causes of autism.

 

Every month of the year is dedicated to one or more health issues.

Last month was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, during which we invited Canadians to take the pledge to help eliminate childhood cancer.

Our researchers and doctors are working hard to understand and eradicate cancer and their work is showing results. For example, SickKids can lay claim to running the best childhood brain tumour program in the world, says Dr. Jim Whitlock, Head of Haematology and Oncology. Much of his team's research is being translated from bench to bedside, for ongoing improvement in child health.

October marks Autism Awareness Month. SickKids scientist Dr. Stephen Scherer is leading an international research initiative, the Autism Genome Project, which has so far been able to identify a genetic cause of autism in 15 per cent of cases. The group is devoted to finding more causes to help provide parents with answers and hopefully better treatments for the disorder.

November is Diabetes Month in Canada. More than 100 new children and adolescents are diagnosed and treated for diabetes at SickKids every year. Our researchers are trying to find the genetic clues to the disease.

With or without an awareness month, our researchers and medical staff tackle all of their cases with the same tenacious commitment to making our patients healthy and giving them the best possible future. Your support is invaluable. We, our children and their families are tremendously grateful.

Ted Garrard
President and CEO
SickKids Foundation

Read more about a special group of supporters who are making a difference.