Dr. Irena Buka Children's Environmental Health Legacy Endowment 

The Dr. Irena Buka Children's Environmental Health Legacy Endowment is named in honour of Dr. Irena Buka, who established the Children’s Environmental Health Clinic (ChEHC) at the University of Alberta in 1997. She continues to be a powerful voice for children at risk. The Endowment has grown over the past twenty years with small amounts from different sources. In 2016, ChEHC officially became a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Children’s Environmental Health.

The impacts of environmental factors on the health and well-being of children are becoming increasingly important. Emerging evidence highlights how prenatal and early childhood exposures affect lifelong health. As environmental challenges become more prominent, public awareness of the full impacts of children's environmental health in communities is growing. 

Environmental health is an emerging field that examines the complex relationship between various exposures and human health. These exposures can range from daily air pollution to unpredictable events like wildfire smoke, chemical contaminants in food and water, living near traffic or industrial sites, and extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves and cold snaps. The effects of these factors vary across different ages and developmental stages. Additionally, the potential benefits of access to greenspaces and other positive influences must also be explored. 

The Dr. Irena Buka Children’s Environmental Health Endowment supports actions to address child health concerns through research and education. 

Donations can be made online through the button above, or as follows:

• Cheque or Money Order:

Make it out to "University of Alberta"

Include in the memo line or a note that is sent in with the cheque or money order "Dr Irena Buka Children’s Environmental Health Legacy Endowment"

Mail to:

Office of Development; 3-501 Enterprise Square, 10230 Jasper Ave NW; Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 4P6

• Donate by credit card over the phone

   Call Bryce Meldrum, 780-318-4196 and to process over the phone

ChEHC thanks all donors for their support!