Kol Hope Foundation for Children is a Canadian charitable organization, the first of its kind in North America that provides support to children born with Trisomy-related disabilities and chromosomal disorders. In Canada alone, over 180,000 children aged 5 to 14 are born with a disability, and 2700 have Trisomy related disabilities. The most common is Trisomy 21 known as Down Syndrome.
WHO IS KOL?
Kol Hope Foundation for Children is named after Kol, a Filipino-Canadian boy, who was born with Trisomy 13, a fatal genetic syndrome. Kol was diagnosed to live only 3 months, but against all odds, he lived for 14 years. He was fed by g-tube, required life support, 24 hour nursing care, and was unable to walk or talk. He passed away on Oct 9, 2011, and has left behind an incredible legacy of love, courage and hope. He is the story and inspiration behind Kol Hope Foundation for Children.
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF KOL HOPE?
Our mission is simple – to show our love, compassion and support for all children with disabilities. We are committed to helping kids in Canada and the Philippines, by improving their quality of life and giving them hope for a better tomorrow.
In Canada, The Kol Hope Fund at Easter Seals provides children with the most basic needs like wheelchairs and respite care, plus it also gives kids the opportunity to go and enjoy summer camps. The Kol Hope Fund at Sick Kids supports the genetic department and the valuable work they do in unravelling the mysteries of genetic disorders and ultimately in finding effective treatment. In fact, Kol Hope has helped fund The Sick Kids Genetics Clinic, which provides children with the best care.
Our main beneficiaries in the Philippines are various children institutions and schools like the Bacolod Boys Home and the Holy Infant Nursery Home, which are special homes that help care for children who are born with disabilities, abandoned, neglected, and orphaned. We also donate to St. Martin De Porres in Cebu, a special school for children with Down Syndrome, Autism and hearing impaired. And most recently, we have established the Kol Hope Fund at the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines. Kol Hope has donated over 2 million pesos to the Philippines that goes to benefit Filipino children with disabilities.
