Community directory

Crohn's In Childhood Research Association

CICRA (Crohn's in Childhood Research Association) is a membership association dedicated to creating a wider understanding of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), particularly as it affects children and young adults.

Since its foundation in 1978 by concerned parents, CICRA has raised funds for research into IBD. This investment has led to new treatments and also trained, through its long-established CICRA Research Training Fellowships, many of the specialists who today treat children with IBD throughout the UK.

In 1982 CICRA set up the first Paediatric Gastroenterology Laboratory in the UK at St Bartholomew's Research Centre in London. This Laboratory, and other centres CICRA has helped finance - such as the Royal Free Paediatric Gastroenterology Laboratory - are now world-recognised for their excellence in paediatric gastroenterological research.

In addition to the CICRA Research Fellows, the charity also finances on an annual basis approved research projects and PhD studentships in hospitals and universities nationwide.

The charity publishes information leaflets and other literature on all aspects of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly as it affects children and adolescents. It actively promotes a wider understanding of this condition and treatment currently available.

CICRA offers free membership to all ages interested in furthering the aims of the charity and making contact with other sufferers, families and carers in a similar position. In this context CICRA has established local self-help and fund-raising groups in many areas of the UK.

Registered charity number 278212