Fall 2023 (Volume 33, Number 3)

Innovating Breakthroughs in Arthritis

By Arthritis Society Canada

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Six million Canadians, young and old, live with arthritis today. That means more Canadians are living with arthritis than diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke combined, making it the most common chronic disease in the country.^1,2

For people with arthritis, pain is a constant struggle. How they move, work, and play must be adapted to get through the day as “normally” as possible, and the mental, physical and emotional toll can be devastating.

As Canada’s largest charitable funder of arthritis research, Arthritis Society Canada has invested over $230 million since its inception and grown its annual direct investment in research by 80% over the last three years. In 2021, Arthritis Society Canada introduced the Ignite Research Grants, which empower Canada’s brightest minds to support the development of novel, high-potential projects that could be expanded in the future. To date, the organization has committed to fund 26 Ignite Research Grants, with more than $2.5 million allocated to this initiative. Additional new grants are expected to be awarded in January 2024.

Arthritis Society Canada is empowering Canada’s top scientific and entrepreneurial minds to create solutions for people with arthritis, so that we can change what it means to live with arthritis, and some day find a cure. Learn more about Arthritis Society Canada research programs at arthritis.ca/researchers.

References:

1. Badley, Elizabeth M, et al. “The Status of Arthritis in Canada: National Report.” Arthritis Community Research and Evaluation Unit, Arthritis Society Canada, August 2019.

2. Badley, Elizabeth M, et al. National and Provincial Prevalence of Arthritis Update. Arthritis Community