Tackling rare diseases through research

rare disease,  research

Teresa Sutherland’s son, Gabriel, was three years old when he was diagnosed with a rare condition called eosinophilic esophagitis, which has no known cure. But even with treatment, Gabriel’s health fluctuated considerably throughout his childhood.

Determined to help where she could, Teresa asked her son’s physician at BC Children’s, Dr. Vishal Avinashi, how she could help make a difference. Dr. Avinashi told her about novel research that was happening on site—and after meeting with hospital experts and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation to learn more, Teresa decided to generously support the initiative through the Foundation of her family’s business, Amacon.

“I want my son to have the best quality of life he can—and a long life,” Teresa said. “It makes me feel good that I can do something to help kids with the condition, and hopefully move closer toward a cure.”