RAREKIDS First Mile Fund


RareKids-CAN
Contact: https://rarekidscan.com/contact-us/
Location: Canada
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New RareKids First Mile Fund Supports Travel for Pediatric Rare Disease Clinical Trials

Distance shouldn’t decide who joins a trial: introducing the RareKids First Mile Fund 

New travel support for children and families taking part in pediatric rare disease clinical trials in Canada

For many families living with a rare disease, the hardest part of joining a clinical trial isn’t saying yes. It’s getting there. Trials often run at only a few sites, and flights, hotels, parking and time away from home add up fast. 

RareKids-CAN has launched the RareKids First Mile Fund to help close that gap. Made possible by an anonymous $250,000 donation, the fund covers reasonable travel and accommodation costs so that children can take part in eligible trials, wherever they live in Canada. 

What it covers
The fund supports protocol-required study visits for the participating child and a parent, guardian or caregiver. Support for additional family members is available when age, medical needs, disability or family circumstances call for it. Eligible costs include: 

  • Economy airfare, train, bus or public transit 
  • Mileage, parking, taxi or rideshare 
  • Hotel or other reasonable accommodation 
  • Per diem meals 

Which trials qualify 

  • Investigator-initiated, interventional trials regulated by Health Canada 
  • Run at one or more Canadian hospitals, academic centres or research institutions 
  • Studying a pediatric rare disease (listed with an Orpha code, or prevalence below 1 in 2,000) 
  • Participants under 18 who are enrolled or being screened, including those in follow-up 

How to apply

Applications come from the research team, not from families. The Principal Investigator, Qualified Investigator or an authorized team member submits a request with the current study protocol, then coordinates the approved support with families. 

Please help us spread the word 

  • Research teams: If you run an eligible trial, apply early so travel support is in place before recruitment and follow-up visits. 
  • Patient organizations and clinicians: If a family you work with is weighing a trial and travel is a worry, encourage them to ask their study team about the First Mile Fund. 

Funds are available for travel through March 31, 2029. Questions? Contact RareKids-CAN. 

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