• Home
• About Us
  • History
  • Mission & Core Values
  • Management & Board
  • E-Newsletter
  • F.A.Q
  • Glossary
  • Financials
  • Privacy Policy
• Serving BC
  • Equipment
  • Research
  • Education
  • Employment
• Keytags and More
  • Keytags
  • SecuriTags
  • Return Address Labels
• Get Involved
  • Become a Volunteer
  • Corporate Partnerships
  • Partner Keytags
  • Sponsorship Opportunities
• Events
  • Legacy Gala
  • Open House
  • Business Reception
  • Information Sessions
• Donate
  • Make a Donation
  • Make a Tribute Gift
  • Legion Keytag Donation
  • Planned Giving
• Contact Us
  • Inquiries
  • Address Change
• Blog

TB Vets funds research to cure Tuberculosis

Andrew Speaker recently caused a media uproar when he traveled on international flights while infected with XDR-TB, a rare form of tuberculosis that is resistant to many of the drugs used to fight TB.

Since the discovery of streptomycin in 1946, tuberculosis has been treatable with antibiotics. TB has slipped from the public awareness in recent decades, but now, drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis are again making headlines. Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) is resistant to at least two commonly used TB drugs, and must be treat with more dangerous drugs. Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is also resistant to many of these second-line-of-defence drugs.

Tuberculosis is most prevalent in the developing world, where it may be difficult or impossible to access doctors and medicine, but is still a problem here in Canada . Each year, 1,600 Canadians contract tuberculosis. According to a report by the Public Health Agency of Canada, there were five cases of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) in British Columbia in 2003. International air travel means that any disease across the world is only a few hours from coming here to Canada .

TB Vets has been helping to fight tuberculosis since 1946. We fund research aimed at finding a cure for tuberculosis. At the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Yossef Av-Gay and Dr. Zakaria Hmama are working on finding a cure for TB. They each have different strategies, but both are working on countering drug-resistant TB. Since 1980, TB Vets has given $1.245 million toward their research. Your generous donations have made this possible.

Please give again today, to help find a cure for this devastating disease.

Click here to learn more about TB and Dr. Av-Gay and Dr. Hmama's research.

TB Vets:
Helping BC Breathe Since 1946 Your donations provide BC with respiratory equipment, research and education. Learn more...

Keytags

• 2008 Keytags are here!
  Help BC breathe! Donate for your Keytags now.
• Didn't get a keytag?
  Click here to request a keytag.
  

TB Vets News

• 2008 Hospital Grant Applications now available
  To apply for a grant for respiratory equipment for your hospital, click here.
  
• TB Vets Announces 2008 Grants
  TB Vets grants over $350,000 to BC hospitals for vital equipment.
  

Newsletters

• Keytag E-Notes
  TB Vets' online newsletter.

Events

• TB Vets Community Events
  Please join us!
• TB Vets 3rd Annual Gala
  Join us Sept. 20 for a Gala evening to help BC breathe.