Out of every 5 Canadians aged 20 years or older, 4 are at risk of developing a chronic condition according to the Canadian Government statistics. It is estimated that 1 in 12 Canadians are affected by a Rare Disease or Disorder; most of these, are life threatening or severely debilitating.
There are over 7,000 known rare diseases or disorders. 350 Million people globally are fighting rare diseases. Rare diseases impact more people than AIDS and Cancer combined. More than 50% of those affected are children. 30% of children with rare disease will not live to see their 5th birthday. We strive to help those who are affected, from suffering in silence, including EDS, Arthritis, Epilepsy, Cancer, Lam, Autism, Familial Ataxias, NF and more.
Living with an ailment doesn’t have to be a life sentence, we are able to help community members living with an ailment learn how to reset their lives, so that they are able to be a part of the community. We bridge that gap of the loneliness and the lack of understanding community members often go through after diagnoses. Our focus is to address the needs of individuals; providing them with support services, educational workshops, seminars and other resources.
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis, mental illness, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases are the major contributors that reduce quality of life, diminish productivity, increase hospitalization and health care costs, as well as premature death in Canada. Those who we help face astounding adversity, including “misdiagnoses, unnecessary surgeries, lack of treatment options and support, financial hardship, and early death”.
Our vision is to reach a point where no sufferer has to go through their illness or ailment alone; without needed support systems and resources. We envision a world where patients can do more than just ‘survive’. They can ‘live’ and be a part of the community, and be the best version of themselves with the support and resources they deserve to live their best health. Our foundation was founded by an award-winning inclusiveness and accessibility patient advocate Carion Fenn. Carion is the President & CEO of the Carion Fenn Foundation and Host of Health 180 with Carion Fenn on Rogers TV Durham. Carion is a Trustee, Board Quality Committee Chair and Ajax Pickering Hospital Community Panel Board Co-Chair at Lakeridge Health governing 5 hospitals, two mental health organizations and a Long-Term Care Facility currently being built for a Region with over 650 thousand residents. She is a past Accessibility Advisor to Town of Ajax Council & Vice Chair on the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Our foundation has been working with over 40 community organizations each year and has partnerships with the Ajax Legion, Ajax Public Library, Clarington Public Library, Lakeridge Health, Abilities Centre, Islamic Society of Ajax, Durham Catholic Virtual Elementary School and AjaxPickering.ca. Sponsors includes Township of Clarington, Rotary Club of Ajax, Rotary Club of Pickering among many others.
