Spring 2022 (Volume 32, Number 1)
If You Ask for Innovation,
It Will Come
By Trish Barbato
President and CEO, Arthritis Society
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In the last issue, I talked about how arthritis needs innovation.
Well, it turns out there are a lot of innovators who
want to help people living with arthritis.
Whether it’s researchers, entrepreneurs or clinicians,
the number of creative minds working on solutions that
could make life better for people living with arthritis is
inspiring.
Our new Ignite Research Grants program attracted almost
50 applications in its first year, and we are delighted
to have been able to fund nine of them. The projects range
from investigating if tiny particles in the blood could predict
response to methotrexate, to studying bone marrow
lesions in people with osteoarthritis to better understand
the disease — and all could yield tremendous results.
Similarly, in December, we were overwhelmed by the
number and quality of submissions to both our Social Impact
Program and our Arthritis Ideator Program. The
submissions came from across the country and ranged
from apps to assistive devices to screening programs.
To support this work, we recruited more than 30 “Innovation
Ambassadors.” Our Ambassadors, who live with
arthritis, have been testing products and technology, meeting
entrepreneurs and lending their voice to the assessment
of submissions. The Arthritis Ideator Program will
culminate with four finalists — including a People’s
Choice Award — being selected for funding at our exciting
Arthritis Ideation Awards event on April 21, 2022. Join us
for this energizing presentation of innovation. We’re uncovering
and fueling ideas that will change the future! More
information is available at www.arthritis.ca/innovation.
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