Starting Aug. 1, people can help support the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario (SB&H) by making a donation at any one of the more than 600 LCBO stores in Ontario.
Donation boxes will be displayed at all checkout counters until August 31.
SB&H is the charitable organization in Ontario providing support, guidance and information to thousands of families impacted by challenges of spina bifida or hydrocephalus (sb/h).
Spina bifida is the number one permanently disabling birth defect in Canada. The spinal column fails to develop properly, causing permanent damage to the baby’s spinal cord and nervous system.
Hydrocephalus is a condition that results in an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain. Without treatment, permanent brain damage or even death may occur. More than 85 per cent of children born with spina bifida have hydrocephalus. There are no cures for the serious, complex neurological conditions, the effects of which can be life threatening.
Funds raised through the LCBO donation box program will be directed to a prevention campaign, Every Healthy Baby is a Victory. It is vital that we inform all women of childbearing age that taking a multi-vitamin which contains at least 0.4mg of folic acid, a B vitamin, three months prior to conception has proven to reduce the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida by as much as 70 per cent.
SB&H is one of 26 provincial, as well as numerous local charities that will benefit from the LCBO’S donation box program in 2010. Last year, the LCBO raised $4.2-million for charities, of which $3.8 million was through in-store fundraising.
In addition, LCBO’s annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government was $1.41-billion in fiscal 2009-10 excluding taxes.
