The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) is a national not-for-profit volunteer-based charity that raises money for inflammatory bowel disease research. Its mission is to find the cure for inflammatory bowel disease. To achieve its mission, the Foundation is committed to raising increasing funds for medical research. CCFC is one of the world’s leaders in non-governmental, per capita funding of IBD research. To date, the Foundation has invested over $65 million in major medical research projects. The key to the CCFC's success is the interest and work of thousands of volunteers across the country.
The CCFC was started in 1974 by a group of concerned parents who saw the need to raise funds for research into inflammatory bowel disease and to educate patients and their families about these diseases.
In 1992, the Foundation's name changed to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada from the Canadian Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis in order to more accurately reflect the two most prevalent intestinal disorders. CCFC has over 65,000 supporters and includes members in some 80 local volunteer groups across Canada.
CCFC volunteers plan, organize and participate in many fundraising events throughout the year. Three events are carried out at a national level: the M & M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day which kicks off the BBQ season each May, the Fall Fundraiser which maintains a local feel occurs sometime in October or November, and the Heel 'N' Wheel-a-Thon, a fundraising walk held in the months of May or June.