Winter 2024 (Volume 34, Number 4)

Invest in the Future of Rheumatology:
Education and Innovation

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As members of the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA), you play a vital role in advancing the care and treatment of patients living with rheumatic diseases. The Canadian Rheumatology Association Foundation (CRAF) is proud to partner with you in this mission, supporting critical programs in research, education and advocacy.

The CRA Education Bursary Program supports the next generation of rheumatologists. This program provides bursaries to medical students and rheumatology trainees, enabling them to attend the CRA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) and Residents' Pre-course. Your donations are directly investing in the education and growth of future leaders in our field, ensuring that patients continue to receive cutting-edge care. These bursaries play a vital role in inspiring many trainees, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to excel in clinical practice and research. Thank you to MitogenDx for establishing the inaugural ASM Resident Registration Bursary for 2025.

The Summer Studentship Program sparks interest in the field by providing hands-on clinical or research experience with CRA members. By supporting this program, you are nurturing future rheumatologists and researchers, ensuring that our field remains dynamic and innovative. Many of today’s rheumatologists were introduced to the specialty through this initiative.

The Canadian Initiative for Outcomes in Rheumatology cAre (CIORA) funds academic and clinical research projects focused on improving outcomes for patients with rheumatic diseases. These projects cover a wide range of critical areas, including optimizing care systems, improving access to rheumatology services and developing innovative treatment approaches. Your support of CIORA advances groundbreaking research that directly benefits patient care.

We are excited by the success of our Matching Gift Campaigns, where lead donors, such as Dr. Vandana Ahluwalia, Seema Sharma and Peter Simpson have pledged to match donations to the CRAF up to a predetermined amount. This means donations will go further to support both immediate needs and long-term goals. Whether you are passionate about supporting research into rheumatic diseases or advocating for better care systems, the Matching Gift Campaign allows you to maximize the value of your gift. To learn more about running a similar campaign in your office, contact Chonée Dennis at cdennis@thedennisgroup.ca.

CRAF is committed to building a sustainable organization that will drive innovation in rheumatology. We invite you to join us in our mission to alleviate the burden of rheumatic diseases across Canada and make a lasting impact on patient care and the field of rheumatology.

Visit crafoundation.ca to learn more about these opportunities and how you can make a difference. Your generosity today will help shape the future of rheumatology for generations to come.