History
CANFAR was created in 1985 by Dinah Koo, Van Beltreme, and Robert Mang. At the time, Canada’s emerging HIV/AIDS organizations primarily dealt with the care and support of people living with the disease, but little was being done to fund research. This inspired the three friends to establish an organization to raise money for Canadian HIV/AIDS research, and ultimately, a cure.
Three doctors and scientists, Dr. Mary Fanning, Dr. Michael Baker and Dr. Norbert Gilmore were brought on board to scientifically determine which research projects were most promising and deserving of funding.
CANFAR was incorporated in 1987, and Rober Ross became the charity’s Executive Director.
Also 1987, CANFAR held the first Food for Thought gala dinner, raising over $150,000 for HIV/AIDS research. This event has grown and changed over the years, but is an integral part of CANFAR’s fundraising efforts.
Prominent philanthropist Bluma Appel joined CANFAR’s Planning Committee, later becoming a creator of a Board of Advisors and a Junior Committee, as well as acting as Chair of the Executive Committee until her death in 2007.
In 1989, the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) was organized to identify the most promising HIV/AIDS research projects and providing them funding. Dr. Gilmore headed up this group and in 1989, CANFAR announced the its first seventeen grant recipients. That year, CANFAR gave $184,445 to HIV/AIDS research projects across Canada.
CANFAR continued to grow its funding capabilities with its Outreach to Industries campaign, securing the support of both the banking and insurance industries. The new support enabled CANFAR to grant its first Canadian Industry Research Award (CIRA) to Dr. Tak Mak in the amount of $100,000. With to the renewed support of major supporters, CANFAR awarded a second CIRA to Dr. Frank Plummer in 1994.
Read more about this topic: Canadian Foundation For AIDS Research
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