The Past - Education and Awareness
Almost two years have passed since we last reported. At that time, the Simon Foundation for Continence Canada was mobilizing expanded forces, with the first hiring of staff, the assembly of a full board of directors, and the setting of a path for the future. Two years later, much has happened. . .
Education and awareness have been the focal points of activity for the Foundation over the past two years. We now distribute many educational materials and a periodic newsletter, provide a toll-free phone line accessible throughout Canada, and regularly interact with both the consumer and professional media.
In addition, the Foundation received research funding to develop, implement and evaluate a Senior Peer Volunteer program to provide information and support to other seniors who experience incontinence. This was successfully completed in partnership with a community health center in Toronto.
We have begun to develop a solid funding base for the future through nurturing a growing computerized database of donors, at the individual, professional and corporate level.
The Present
In 1997, in addition to running all the above established programs, we now launch into the following new initiatives:
* The first ever Canadian Incontinence Awareness month, in November 1997. As part of this cornerstone event, the Foundation is hosting the Partners in Continence conference, November 5-6, 1997, a multidisciplinary and consumer continence conference.
* Completion of the first Canadian Continence Health Professional Resource now allows the Foundation to respond to our most frequently asked question - "who can help me?".
* Our first foray into research with the first professional continence research grant, and the most comprehensive needs assessment survey ever implemented in Canada. This survey is being distributed among 6000 individuals experiencing incontinence. The results of this study will drive the direction of the Foundation for the future and will provide the statistical data needed to place incontinence at the forefront of the national health agenda.
Our name is changing to The Canadian Continence Foundation, to reflect the need for a united, strong and focused organisation which can work toward the single most important goal - successful treatment and/or management for all.
All the above would not have been possible without the support of a committed board of directors, advisory panels and donors, particularly our platinum corporate patrons - Laborie Medical, Pharmascience Inc., and Procter & Gamble Inc., who have supported this cause consistently and with true commitment over the past years.
Learning and The Future
The ongoing issues come as no surprise; we now understand that funding must always be a strategic priority. To remain strong for the long term, our funding sources must stay diversified; we must nurture individual, professional, corporate and government donorship as well as resource sales, conferences and special projects. Partnerships with other organizations are critical - in times of constraint, there is no room for redundancy.
Conclusions
The good news is two-fold: first, incontinence is finally being recognised as the significant health issue that it is in Canada. Second, the Canadian Continence Foundation, as others worldwide, is contributing to a better quality of life for those who experience incontinence, and for their caregivers.
Malvina Klag