The Child Health Research Foundation was established by Rotary in 1971 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Rotary in New Zealandand it wishes to build on the strong relationship it enjoys with its founder, Rotary, so that together we can build a better future for our young ones.

Background
Rotary New Zealand was petitioned by the late Dr Ronald Caughey who was a leading pediatrician and member of the Rotary Club Auckland, to set up the Foundation to encourage funding for research into child health, because of concerns about New Zealand’s worsening mortality rate. New Zealand had previously led the world with the lowest infant mortality rate but by 1970 had slipped to sixth place.

Under the leadership of District Governor (D292) the late Bob Yarnton, Rotarians took on the challenge to establish the Foundation as their Golden Jubilee project in 1971. Less than six months later $250,000 was presented to Foundation Chairman Sir James Doig.

In 1996 Rotarians made another major fundraising effort raising $870,00 for the Foundation.

Cure Kids
Today the Foundation’s public face is known as Cure Kids and with the on going support of Rotary, new initiatives are continually being developed to raise funds for medical research into children’s life threatening illnesses.

To date over $14m has been directed into research and some world first breakthroughs have been achieved.

Ticket to Hope
Ticket to Hope is an innovative Cure Kids campaign, which has attracted widespread support particularly from Rotary Clubs from around New Zealand.

Each Ticket to Hope costs $10,000, with $9,500 invested directly into research into children’s illnesses. The remainder is earmarked for a young child with a life threatening illness and a parent to experience the thrills of a three day weekend in Queenstown.

The Future
The Rotary Child Health Capital Fund supports two Child Health Centres of Excellence. The University of Auckland Chair is held by Professor Ed Mitchell who is an internationally recognised expert on the reduction of the incidence of SIDS (cot death). He also has expertise as a researcher in the respiratory and low birthweight fields.

Professor Stephen Robertson is the Chair of Child Health Research at Otago University and is regarded as the best paediatric geneticist in Australasia. He has recently made significant discoveries into congenital malformations in children which have attracted international focus.

Both Professor Mitchell and Professor Robertson are outstanding advocates for child health in New Zealand and with the support of Rotary can continue their work to help improve the health and quality of life of young New Zealanders.

For further information please contact:
Carolyn Hobson
P O Box 90 907, Auckland
Bus (09) 358 5180
Fax (09) 358 5181
Mob 021 414 182
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.curekids.org.nz