FAQ’s

In the early 1990s, a group of passionate individuals came together to form the Canadian Angelman Syndrome Society, an original chapter of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. For three decades now, both organizations have joined forces, working tirelessly to provide unwavering support, education, and advocacy for families affected by this rare genetic disorder.

Their partnership has been nothing short of remarkable, with the ASF and CASS collaborating to push the boundaries of what is possible. The commitment and dedication of both organizations have been awe-inspiring, and their efforts have truly made a difference in the lives of countless families.

As we look to the future, we can only imagine the incredible things that will be accomplished through the continued alignment of the ASF and CASS. Their shared vision for innovation and growth in the non-profit sector will undoubtedly lead to groundbreaking advancements in research, clinical support, and so much more.

Let us celebrate this momentous partnership and honor the incredible individuals who have dedicated their lives to this noble cause. Together, the ASF and CASS will continue to be a beacon of hope for all those affected by Angelman Syndrome, inspiring us all to strive for a brighter tomorrow.

  • CASS is changing its name to ASF Canada to align our priorities and support more families on their AS Journey. CASS is a visionary organization with the courage, wisdom, and most importantly, the adaptive leadership required to break free from the old and usher in a process of regeneration and reorganization. From day one, the President of CASS recognized the need to transform the organization into ASF Canada, given the shared central mission of supporting Angelman families on their journey. It is undeniable that both organizations share a common goal of supporting Angelman families.

    The partnership between ASF and CASS spans three decades, with a track record of successful collaboration on various projects, research consortia, and joint advocacy campaigns. This rich history of shared values and system-wide approaches to social impact work is the foundation on which the two organizations will build a brighter future together.

    This is an unprecedented opportunity for CASS to unleash its true potential and undergo a phase of innovative growth. The collaboration with ASF will be a catalyst for positive change, benefitting both organizations and the Angelman community at large. Together, they will usher in a new era of hope and progress, driven by a shared passion for serving our families and community.

  • For many years, the ASF and CASS have worked collaboratively because the organizations understood that their non-for-profits are far better positioned than AS organizations that try and operate in isolation. We are better together. We want to work alongside one another to effectively decrease duplicate energy in programming and reduce the workload on an already exhausted and vulnerable population. It's time to come together, pool our resources and expertise, and tackle the challenges we face as a united Angelman front.

  • Both the ASF and ASF Canada (i.e. CASS) would continue to operate as two separate non-for-profits with independent boards, executive management, and staff as required by both IRS and CRA rules and laws. Leadership staff for both organizations will ensure that mutual strategic goals and plans between the two charities are successfully met. Leadership from both the ASF and ASF Canada (i.e., CASS) will work collaboratively to ensure the ASF brand, mission, and vision are upheld.

  • All of the money raised by ASF Canada stays in Canada to support Canadian AS families.

  • As outlined clearly by Canadian charity law, money received from donations from Canadians that receive tax receipts must stay in Canada to support the charitable activities of ASF Canada.

  • No, ASF and ASF Canada will continue to operate separate boards of directors as outlined in the charity law of each country.

  • Yes, there will be a family conference for ASF Canada on odd years to provide service and deliver our charitable programs and activities. This will be on opposite years from the ASF family conference.

  • ASF and ASF Canada will partner on programming that meets the charitable activities of both organizations. Some examples include the Family Fund, conferences, and ASF clinic development.