[6][7][8] Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) was created in 1987 by four friends (Dinah Koo, Van Beltreme, Jack Creed and Robert Mang) in an effort to support HIV/AIDS research that would lead to a cure since Canada's emerging HIV/AIDS organizations primarily dealt with the, just as significant, need to care and support people living with the disease.

Three doctors and scientists, Dr. Mary Fanning, Dr. Michael Baker and Dr. Norbert Gilmore were brought on board to scientifically determine which research projects were most promising and deserving of funding.

The new support enabled CANFAR to grant its first Canadian Industry Research Award (CIRA) to Dr. Tak Mak in the amount of $100,000.

[citation needed] Dr. Sadhna Joshi at the University of Toronto is working to discover ways to combat HIV through gene therapy.

Dr. Clifford Lingwood from The Hospital for Sick Children and Dr. Donald Branch from Canadian Blood Services have identified a new resistance factor in the battle against HIV.

Dr. Deborah Money's research at the Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia has provided new insights to guide the safe use of antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy.

Dr. Frank Plummer from the University of Manitoba is studying a small group of Nairobi prostitutes to discover the source of their natural resistance to HIV infection.

[citation needed] On September 29, 1988, CANFAR hosted the first Food for Thought, and raised more than $150,000 to support HIV and AIDS research.

[citation needed] In 1994, Patricia Olasker organized a CANFAR fundraising event for lawyers which featured breakfast and amateur bands.

Each year CANFAR gives out The Heart Award which is presented annually to the high school that demonstrates outstanding dedication and community spirit while raising research funds and HIV/AIDS awareness among their peers.

Each year a $500 scholarship is awarded to a deserving student who has displayed outstanding leadership in running a successful Have a Heart campaign and demonstrated dedication to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Annually, these student leaders organize parties, hold informative focus groups, and panel discussions to address the issue of AIDS, both within their demographic and internationally.

At McGill, Catherine Pringle and a friend decided to throw a party to spread AIDS awareness on campus called Affair en Rouge, raising funds for CANFAR.

[citation needed] The main role of the board of directors is to set the strategic direction of the organization, to hire and support the President and to provide financial, regulatory and reputational oversight.

The Board also takes on a fundraising role by assisting the staff through events or programs, as well as providing advice according to each individual's professional area of expertise.

Influential members have included: Bluma Appel, Dr. Stanley Read, Dr. Mark Wainberg, and Andrew M. Pringle who served as President of the Board for twelve years before stepping down in 2007 to assume the role of chairman.