OTTAWA, ON, August 8, 2000 - The War Amps of Canada formed the Thalidomide Task Force in 1987 to address the needs of Canadian Thalidomide victims. Cliff Chadderton was named as Chairman. Out of that Task Force the Canadian Thalidomide Victims Association was formed in 1988 with Randy Warren of London being named a president.

On February 14, 1989 Randy Warren and Cliff Chadderton, on behalf of Canadian thalidomide victims, delivered a comprehensive report on the special needs of the victims to Health and Welfare Canada.

There are at least 120 (the figure is believed to be much higher) Canadians who have suffered damages due to thalidomide. More than 8,000 were known to be effected worldwide. Thalidomide was given to pregnant women in the treatment of nausea and insomnia. The extent to which the drug damaged the fetus was dependent upon when it was taken during gestation.

Thalidomide was marketed in Canada under the trade name Kevadon from April 1961 until March 1962.