A message from our Founder
Our Impact in 2024
10 years of building a world without NEC
It is remarkable and inspiring to reflect on the NEC Society’s 10th anniversary and all we achieved together in 2024. When my son, Micah, passed away from NEC, there was no community, inspiration, or hope – there was only the devastation of this cruel disease. Together, we have built an international community and inspired people around the globe to join our movement. The NEC Society is our brightest pathway toward a world without NEC. We are so grateful to everyone who believes in our work, and I cannot wait to see what we achieve together in 2025 and beyond!
Jennifer Canvasser, Founder & Executive Director
Advancing research to build a world without NEC
Highlight
NEC Research Incubator
The NEC Society Research Incubator has grown to over 150 members. Our incubator is made up of physicians, scientists, multidisciplinary clinicians, and patient-families from all over the world.
Highlight
Published in Pediatric Research
We participated in the Convergent Working Group at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, Canada to discuss regenerative medicine therapies in NEC. A published summary can be found in Pediatric Research.
Highlight
Identifying Research Needs
We played a leading role in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Working Group on NEC and identified urgent research needs for our community.
Highlight
New Research Awards
The NEC Society launched three new research awards to inspire and support young scientists and early career clinicians dedicated to helping us build a world without this cruel disease.
Improving Education to Build a world without NEC
Highlight
Educational Meetings
We presented in Washington, DC, to the FDA, CDC, and NIH about the urgent need for improved NEC prevention at their workshop on Live Biotherapeutic Products to Prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis.
Highlight
Educational Meetings
At the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, we presented a 7-hour Session on NEC, the NEC Club, NEC Networking, and NEC Advocacy Table, inspiring hundreds of new clinicians and scientists to join our community.
Highlight
Patient-Family Materials
To support the NEC Biorepository, we developed Patient-Family Educational Materials because we are dedicated to empowering families with information so they can advocate for their children.
Highlight
SXSW with Katie Couric
We were featured at SXSW with Katie Couric about how our patient-families and researchers are partnering to prevent NEC and improve outcomes for infants.
Engaging Community to Build a World Without NEC
Highlight
Running26.2 to #preventNEC
Twenty-six runners completed the California International Marathon in honor of babies affected by NEC. In total, 114 runners have run 26.2 for the NEC Society!
Highlight
Community Events
Dozens of families, like Lyddia and Glenn, whose son Rex tragically passed away from NEC, organized community events and fundraisers to build a world without NEC.
Highlight
Running around the world
Infant Bacterial Therapeutics, one of our Champions, ran the Stockholm Marathon for the NEC Society.
Highlight
NEC Awareness is may 17
Clinicians and families around the world recognized NEC Awareness Day on May 17th.
Thank you for an impactful year!
“Amidst my devastation, purpose has emerged – a determination to transform my pain into a beacon of hope for others. In honor of my daughter, I am helping the NEC Society build a world without NEC. My work with the NEC Society is a testament to her enduring legacy, a tribute to the love that transcends time and space.”
Pabita, Ditya’s mother, NEC Society Patient-Family Advisory Council
