Olive Tree Foundation Steps In With Grant to Help GI Society Restock Vital Patient Resource

Nearly 6 in 10 Canadians will deal with a gastrointestinal or liver condition at some point in their life yet vital education resources are running out.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) alone affects up to 1 in 5 people — millions living with chronic pain, unpredictable symptoms, and disruptions to work, sleep, and mental health.

Canada also has one of the highest rates of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) in the world, affecting roughly 1 in every 150 people, on top of a significant number of rare GI diseases, disorders, and cancers.

Despite how many people are affected, funding for public education on digestive health remains scarce — leaving patients and doctors without enough trusted, easy-to-understand resources to manage these conditions.

A Resource Runs Dry

That gap became urgent for the Gastrointestinal Society (GI Society) when its most requested resource — an IBS information pamphlet — ran out completely. Demand from patients and healthcare providers had simply outpaced supply.

To help close that gap, the Olive Tree Foundation stepped in and awarded the GI Society a grant to reprint and distribute 20,000 updated copies of the pamphlet, free of charge, to clinics, hospitals, and patients across Canada.

GI Society CEO and Co-Founder Gail Attara said that the gift "will go towards the updating, printing, and distribution" of the IBS pamphlet, calling the organization's mission to deliver "quality, medically sound, up-to-date patient education" essential for the millions of Canadians living with GI or liver conditions.

Attara added that the Olive Tree Foundation's support "demonstrates a true understanding of the GI Society's central role in the Canadian health field," and said “the grant would help sustain the organization's broader work in increasing public awareness."

"The Olive Tree Foundation is committed to advancing education and social well-being across Canada," said Muneeb Nasir, Chair of the Olive Tree Foundation. "Supporting the GI Society's patient education initiative reflects that commitment, ensuring Canadians have access to the reliable health information they need."

Why It Matters

For nearly 50 years, the GI Society and its founding partner, the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR), have provided medically reviewed health information to the public. The IBS pamphlet breaks down a complex condition into plain language, covering evidence-based treatments and practical strategies patients can use to manage their symptoms day to day.

The updated version also includes QR codes linking to video animations and additional tools on the GI Society's website, badgut.org.

"When patients have access to reliable, easy-to-understand health information, they can have more productive conversations with their physicians, manage symptoms effectively, and reduce unnecessary strain on our healthcare facilities," the GI Society noted. "This grant helps ensure that no patient or clinic is left waiting for answers."

The pamphlets will be available in both official languages and distributed through hospitals, community health centres, family physician clinics, and direct patient requests nationwide.

About the Olive Tree FoundationThe Olive Tree Foundation is a Canadian public endowment foundation that funds charitable initiatives supporting community development, education, and social well-being across Canada.

About the Gastrointestinal SocietyThe Gastrointestinal Society is a registered Canadian charity that supports people with GI, liver, and related conditions through evidence-based patient resources, advocacy, and research support. Learn more at badgut.org