Mission:
Firefly wants to help your brain last a lifetime.
Background:
Firefly Foundation has recognized that there is a gap in sustaining brain health in both the health care and education models.
Studies show the earlier and more effectively you take care of your brain, the better off you’ll be later in life. Benefits include an extended quality of life, a sharper mind or improved memory, and better mental dexterity; now and later.
Research evidence has demonstrated that maintaining these elements of brain function will prevent, delay onset and slow the progression of neurodegenerative disease.
Achievements to date:
Funded Research & Programs:
- Sponsor of the Toronto Brain Bee
- Four years of funding of Tanz CRND innovative neurosciences research ($100,000 annually since 2007)
- “Spark Award” for psycho social research in how to prevent memory loss ($50,000 annually)
Our Objectives:
Advance ‘Healthy Brain’ Research
Research we fund:
• knowledge about how the healthy brain functions
• discover and prove methods to help people maintain healthy brains
Preferred funding targets:
• early career researchers to build Canadian research capacity in brain health
• innovative research projects that may not fit within the objectives of traditional funding agencies.
Help people maintain healthy brains
• Build awareness of the importance of brain health by promoting products, programs and activities that will contribute to brain health and motivate the target group to develop life-long behaviours.
• Create/implement education and evidence based programs that contribute to brain health and the development of important cognitive skills.
Who do we talk to?
Young people including:
• elementary school through high school
• young adults 35 and under
Firefly believes that greater achievements can be made by focusing on people in their early years to establish knowledge and lifetime behaviours that will contribute to their long term brain health. Little attention is paid to promoting brain health in this age range.
