Vancouver Kin Club

Cystic Fibrosis

From a relationship that began on a barstool in 1963, a 40-year friendship has grown into a committed partnership. Over the years, Kinsmen and Kinettes have devoted their efforts to an incredible assortment of events ranging from Daisy Days to road tolls to barbecues - all to help fight cystic fibrosis.

The friendship between Kinsmen and Kinettes and Canadians with CF began out of a conversation between Dr. Douglas Crozier, then director of the CF Clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children, and Kinsmen Bill Skelly. During a chance meeting at a Scarborough pub, Dr. Crozier spoke to Bill about his young CF patients. This conversation left Bill interested in joining the fight against cystic fibrosis, and Dr. Crozier was invited to speak to the North York Kinsmen Club. Almost immediately, the North York Kinsmen enthusiastically backed the CF cause. By 1964, District 8 had formally adopted CF as its District Service Project. District 8's commitment sparked the interest of other Districts, and, before long, involvement spread Canada-wide, throughout the Kin organization.

In 1987, the Association of Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs adopted CF as a National Service Project. Today, Kinsmen and Kinettes remain our loyal friends, continually fundraising for CF research and promoting CF awareness. In 1997, Kin reached a great milestone when total funds raised for CF amounted to $25 million. In 2001, Kin raised more than $1 million to help beat CF, bringing the Kin's cumulative contribution to the CCFF to more than $30 million! These funds have helped Canadian researchers make major strides in the fight against cystic fibrosis.

The hard work and support of Kinsmen and Kinettes is deeply appreciated by Canadians with CF.