Very Common, Yet Virtually Unknown
Potentially Fatal, Yet Easily Treatable

Hemochromatosis - Canada's Most Common Genetic Disorder

Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HHC) is the most common genetic disorder affecting Canadians. It is a crippling, potentially fatal condition caused by a defect of iron metabolism that leads to iron overload in vital organs, joints and tissues. The complications caused by the disorder are preventable if a diagnosis is made before the excess iron causes irreversible damage, and effective treatment exists.

Our Purpose

The Canadian Hemochromatosis Society was established to create awareness about this little-known, but common disorder so that early diagnosis would become the rule rather than the exception and needless suffering and premature death from undiagnosed hemochromatosis would become a thing of the past. In the meantime, we are here to provide information and support to those adversely affected by iron overload.

Events

May is National Hemochromatosis Awareness Month

Come back to this site often for updates on activities during Awareness Month and throughout the year. See our Awareness Month page for a running list of events during May.

April 25: Hemochromatosis Information Workshop, Edmonton, AB

Awareness Month kicks off a little early this year with a Hemochromatosis Information Workshop being held in Edmonton. This workshop will feature a Power Point presentation about hemochromatosis followed by a question and answer period. This event takes place on April 25 at 7:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Express located at 2440 Calgary Trail in South Edmonton. Please RSVP your attendance as soon as possible as space is limited. To RSVP please call 1-877-BAD IRON.

April 28: Benefit Concert For The Canadian Hemochromatosis Society

Join Il Sono Men's Vocal Ensemble - Calgary's premiere men's ensemble - for their spring concert. "His Sound" celebrates the versatility of the male voice. Il Sono will be singing "over 400 years of the manliest music" from Palestrina to Billy Joel. You don't want to miss this concert.

Saturday April 28, 2012
8:00 pm
St. Stephen's Anglican Church (1121 14th Ave. SW)
Tickets $10 at door

April 27, 28 and 29: Canadian Home Builders' Home Show, Prince George, BC

CHS is at the Canadian Home Builders Association of Northern BC (CHBA NBC) Home Show April 27, 28 and 29 at the Prince George Exhibition Grounds. Come visit us in Booth 357 to gather more information on hereditary hemochromatosis and meet Executive Director Bob Rogers. We thank CHBA NBC for their kind support and invitation to participate in this year's home show.

June 27: Annual General Meeting

Canadian Hemochromatosis Society 2011 AGM
Wednesday June 27, 2012
5:00 pm Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Richmond Caring Place
Room 320 – 7000 Minoru Blvd.
Richmond, British Columbia V6Y 3Z5

To participate in the Annual General Meeting, you must be a current member of the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society as of Thursday, May 31, 2012.

Please RSVP by email or phone no later than Thursday, May 31, 2012 and indicate whether you will attend in person or by teleconference. An AGM meeting package will then be forwarded to you.

Watch Our Video

Watch our 8 minute video, "What is Hemochromatosis?", comissioned by the CHS and directed by Jonathan Leduc.

Featured Resource

Medifocus Guide to Hereditary Hemochromatosis is a highly recommended resource for individuals affected by Hereditary Hemochromatosis. Each guide has current and relevant Hereditary Hemochromatosis research organized into categories for easy reading. Free updates are provided for one year. The Medifocus Guide also provides an international Hereditary Hemochromatosis physician finder. A must have!