The cost of research is enormous. In the 28 years since our research began, the Canavan Research Foundation has raised over $5 million, all of which was acquired through fundraisers and private donations. However, these funds have been used in their entirety to finance research and clinical trials to this date. Future research and gene therapy treatments of affected children depends on your continued support. 

Why should I donate?

Even though the research we support has shown significant promise and has the potential to benefit other many diseases, because Canavan Disease is considered an orphan disease, the Canavan Research Foundation still receives little public funding. Our research is extremely dependent on private donations, and that means your generosity.

how will my donation be used?

We are currently pioneering the current gene therapy trial, which costs 800K per child. As this is a rare disease, we do not receive any government funding, and rely on private donations like yours. We also offer site visits to some Canavan families and provide resources for families with Canavan children.

Shop with a purpose

Make the Canavan Research Foundation your charity of choice when shopping on Amazon Smile! Amazon will donate a percentage of everything you to purchase to the CRF. To select the CRF as your cause, go to www.smile.amazon.com, navigate to "Your Account", then select "Change your charity" and choose the Canavan Research Foundation.

Support the CRF through Amazon Smile →

Register with iGive and a percentage of your online shopping purchases at over 1,700 online retailers will be donated to the CRF. Registering with iGive will also double the amount that Amazon donates to the CRF when you shop on Amazon Smile!

Register on iGive →

Interested in volunteering?

Contact Samantha at skarlin@canavan.org.

Interested in holding a charity event or donating an auction item?

Contact Samantha at Skarlin@canavan.org.

Apply to be a board member or Junior board member

CRF is accepting applications for new board members and junior board members (ages 25- 35). Interested applicants should contact skarlin@canavan.org to obtain an application.

Further information about board responsibilities can be found below.