our impact

Since 1978 we have invested over £5 million on 60 research projects, leading to new treatments and specialised training for young paediatricians. CICRA funding has been a driving force in the development of paediatric gastroenterology as a sub-speciality of paediatrics in the UK.

outcomes of our work

• many leading consultant paediatric gastroenterologists in the UK have come through the CICRA fellowship training scheme
• since 1978, we have supported around 10,000 children and 20,000 family members to cope with their diagnosis and feel more positive about managing their condition
• in 1982, we set up the first paediatric gastroenterology laboratory in the UK at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. Recognised worldwide for its excellence this laboratory is now based in state of the art facilities at the Blizard Institute at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel
• since 1978 we have funded: 25 research fellowships; 27 PhD studentships and around 60 research projects. Doctors whose training we funded are now training a new generation of doctors, which means more children can see a specialist
• in 1983 we funded nine years of research at the University of London which culminated in the development of Modulen, still the first line of treatment for children with Crohn's disease
• in 2001, we received a grant to publish ‘IBD and me’ stories of courage and hope written by children with IBD, in a recent survey of our members 67% of children that responded said they had been helped by reading ‘IBD & me’.
• in 2007, we funded research at Southampton University into SMAD7, the results of which led to clinical trials for a new treatment
• in 2017, we distributed 1357 parent packs to support families after diagnosis to 73 hospitals across the UK
• in 2018, we hosted 500 family members and children at our family days around the UK, bringing them together to share experiences and advice and connections for peer support
• in 2019, we recruited our first full-time family support worker to strengthen families and help young people be more confident

creating the next generation of specialists

We fund PhD studentships, encouraging young scientists to specialise whilst conducting 3-year research projects into IBD. Our research fellowships fund qualified doctors to undertake specialist training in IBD, ensuring a continuous cycle of new specialists entering paediatric gastroenterology. Since 1978, we have funded 26 Research Fellowships and 27 PhD Studentships.

support services

We support children and parents with advice and information booklets, and with access to specialists at ‘family days’ run across the country to help children cope with their diagnosis and improve their quality of life.

family days

In 2017, we hosted 350 family members and children at our three Family Days around the UK, bringing them together to share experiences, learn more about how to manage their child’s condition from specialists and form new friendships to support each other into the future. Fun challenges were set for the children to help break the ice, an important first step to forming new friendships with peers.

helping parents and children live well with IBD

Parent Packs are supplied to all new CICRA members to support families after diagnosis. Each pack contains vital information for children, parents and schools.

Children under six years old can, tragically, be affected by very early onset IBD, which is the most aggressive and diverse form of the condition with very limited treatment options. We facilitate a support group for families who have a child affected by this condition.

Can’t Wait cards are supplied to children with IBD to help them gain access to toilet facilities when they need them most, without embarrassment or confusion.

RADAR keys are supplied by us to children with IBD who need urgent access to toilet facilities, as part of the National Key Scheme.

E-Pals is a social network supported by CICRA that enables children to make friends with peers and chat to people who know what they are going through.