The Foundation

Immediately following Bethany's diagnosis in August 1995 with a terminal illness, Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), Lindey and Dave McIntyre recognized that her only hope was research! Their medical team had informed them that there was nothing that could be done. There no hope for Bethany! Due to a lack of funding there was very little MLD Research being conducted anywhere around the world with the exception of Dr. John Barranger at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre.

Determined to make a difference, the McIntyre family, their friends and co-workers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca) formed Bethanys Hope Committee. They were committed to raise research capitol and during the first 12 months of operation this small but dedicated group of Volunteers raised over $100,000 through donations, golf tournaments, bingos, BBQs and a Charity Gala Ball in support of Dr. Barranger’s Research. This was a wonderful accomplishment, however, it became apparent that significant additional funds would be necessary to conduct the concentrated research required to find the answers they desperately sought. They also realized that a Canadian Research program to collaborate with Dr. Barranger in Pittsburgh had to be established to qualify as a registered Canadian Charity. A Board of Directors was established and the original small Committee was incorporated in the Province of Ontario as a Non-Profit Public Foundation - 1171240 on July 26th, 1996. They changed the name to Bethanys Hope Foundation (BHF) and became a Registered Canadian Charity on January 1st, 1998, operating under the Business Number - 88737-4833-RR0001.

After receiving this certification Bethany and the members of this Foundation met a wonderful new "Partner in Hope" ….. Mr. Tony Marsman of Rembrandt Homes (www.rembrandthomes.ca). Through the generosity of Mr. Marsman and the men and women of the London Home Builders' Association (www.lhba.on.ca) the “Hopes and Dreams House Lottery” campaign began in 1998. Completed in May 1999, this project netted the Foundation nearly $1,000,000 for MLD Research. With great pride, the Foundation, their partners and all the Volunteers from the R.C.M.Police opened "Bethanys Hope Leukodystrophy Research Laboratory" on November 5th, 1999 in London, Ontario. The collaborative research facility is under the direction of Dr. Tony Rupar of the University of Western Ontario.

In July 2000 the Foundation was very fortunate to make a new friend, Mr. Rick DeJager the owner of a local restaurant, Tiger Jacks Bar & Grill (www.tigerjacks.com). He made a commitment to help the Research by sponsoring the “Tiger in the Woods” Charity Golf Tournament here in London. Mr. DeJager has not only committed his resources to this Tournament but many Foundation projects….. he is always there for advice and generous support. The 13th annual “Tiger in the Woods” Tournament is set for September 2011 with a goal of $25,000 for the Laboratory! Mr. DeJager and his very generous group of golfers have raised over $225,000 since 2000 purchasing many pieces of equipment for Dr. Rupar’s Research Team.

In 2004 they were introduced to a very compassionate, generous young man who gave the Foundation a new opportunity to raise Research funding! Mr. Brad Jones of the Jones Entertainment Group (www.jonesentertainmentgroup.ca) recognized the hard work of Bethany’s Volunteers over the years and developed a Charity Classic Rock Festival for the Foundation. The first “Rock the Park ” opened in London in July 2004 It was a tremendous hit with not only local music lovers but with folks from southwestern Ontario and the northern USA. Thanks to Mr. Jones and his wonderful family the Foundation has raised more than $1,000,000 Research dollars from the Rock the Park Festivals and RTP 8 is set for July 21 thru 23, 2011.

Once again Lindey and Dave were blessed to have made a new friend in 2008 who has had such a huge impact on the Research efforts of the Foundation. Michael Smith, Prince Edward Island’s official food ambassador, Canada’s best known Chef and truly a gentle giant joined the “Recipe for Hope” Team at Centennial Hall in February 2009. Chef Michael, the host of several Food Network productions such as The Inn Chef, Chef at Home, Chef Abroad and now Food Country (www.chefmichaelsmith.com) has become a great friend of the McIntyre family and the Foundation. He has very generously hosted the “Recipe for Hope 2” at the University of Western Ontario, “Cook the Book” in 2010 and most recently “The PEI Kitchen Party” at the beautiful Hilton-London. Chef Michael and his wonderful friends from P.E.I. have helped generate over $250,000 for Research.

Since 1995 the Volunteers, Directors and members of Bethanys Hope Foundation have reached out into the communities of South Western Ontario to establish a tremendous network of friends and corporate partners to continue the fight for research funding. Over the last sixteen years they have combined their talent and energy to execute two additional major lotteries, thirteen Charity Gala Balls, a multitude of charity golf tournaments and seven “ Rock the Park” music Festivals". They are well on the way to reach another milestone… $4 million research dollars for this non-stop search for the ultimate goal... the cure !