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2007: The Board of Directors is proud to announce that Heather Norton has been selected as the new President of SDS Canada. Congratulations Heather! Our full 2007/08 Board is listed later on this page.

A clinical diagnostic test is now available at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto



What is Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome?

Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS) is a rare genetic disorder that occurs in approximately one in 50,000 births. SDS affects many organs in the body and the symptoms may vary from individual to individual.

The primary features of SDS include: bone marrow problems (leading to inadequate production of some types of white blood cells), a defect in the pancreas (leading to difficulties in digesting food), skeletal abnormalities, and short stature. Other, secondary, features may affect some but not all people with SDS.

People with SDS are at risk for serious, sometimes fatal, complications such as severe infections, acute myelogenous leukemia and bone marrow failure.


What is Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Canada?

SDS-Canada is a registered Canadian charity (Registered Charity #86880-8197 RR001) dedicated to raising and awarding funds for much needed research, disseminating information and improving the quality of life for children and adults with SDS.

The SDS Canada Board of Directors (2007)

President: Heather Norton
Fundraising: Mike Smyth
Secretary: Greg Symons
Research: Alex Speers, PhD
Legal: Susan Mann
Karen Campbell, PhD
Susan Salvati

Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Canada
2152 Gatley Road
Mississauga, ON
Canada. L5H 3L9
Toll Free: 1-(866)-462-8907 (note: this is a new number effective June 2005)
email: sdscanada@sympatico.ca