Our generous donors

Thank you for your generosity

Dear donors,

As we look back at a highly successful year, we are humbled by your support. There are so many ways in which you made a difference — be it through investments in research, donations to one of our innovative programs, or connections with others at events. We are strengthened by you and thanks to your generosity, we are on our way to a future that is free of arthritis.

Arthritis is invisible and yet it causes a lot of suffering, affecting one’s quality of life in countless ways. Our co-founder Mary Pack made it her mission to improve the health outcomes of people affected by this devastating disease. As we mark our 75th year, that very goal continues to drive our work, and with you by our side, we are aiming to raise $60 million over the next three years.

We invite you to read about our donors who are inspiring generosity in many different ways.

Thank you for standing with us on this important cause. We owe our success to our donors, who passionately share our unwavering commitment to extinguishing arthritis.

With gratitude,

By the numbers

A legacy of giving

Frank Capogreco was only in his thirties when he was diagnosed with arthritis. Helen, Frank’s sister, shares that his life changed quickly in many ways — he couldn’t play sports, travel became difficult, and pain and fatigue affected his everyday life.

By the time Frank turned 45, he was forced to retire from a job he loved. His joints became disfigured, he was compelled to use a walker, and he endured two hip and knee replacements.

Frank passed away at the age of 71. That is when Helen learned about a remarkable gift he left to Arthritis Society Canada. His life with arthritis motivated his investment decisions: he opened an investment fund and built it up; and by the time he passed, Frank’s investment fund had grown to over $445,000.

Helen reflects that Frank never complained about the unexpected turn in his life — he maintained his friendly disposition and sense of humour despite the suffering he had to endure. As Helen says, “He was committed to staying as active as he could, swimming each morning to loosen his joints, doing his prescribed physio, even hiking with his walker.”

Helen, along with Arthritis Society Canada, is proud that Frank was able to live life on his terms. He would often quote Jean-Paul Sartre: ‘Freedom is what we do with what is done to us.’

Helping Canadians manage pain

“Arthritis Society Canada’s work is essential, and we are proud to stand with them to improve the lives of those with arthritis in any way possible,” says Caroline Kolompar, President, Massage Addict.

Massage Addict is a network of 116 health and wellness clinics across Canada that provide massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture and reflexology to help clients manage challenges like pain, stress and anxiety – all of which are faced by people with arthritis.

The generosity of committed partners like Massage Addict enables Arthritis Society Canada to offer the communities we serve more resources, engage our audiences with new programming and reach a greater number of people in need of support.

Our generous donors

Arthritis Society Canada is grateful for the generosity of our supporters, who are dedicated to helping us fight the fire of arthritis. We are pleased to recognize donors who have made or pledged gifts of $10,000+ between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023, whose cumulative gifts totalled $2.5 million and more over the course of their giving history, and those reaching a giving milestone of 25 years.

We offer special thanks to the 30 individuals that notified us in 2022-2023 that they have included us in their legacy plans to fight the fire of arthritis beyond their lifetimes.

$1,000,000+

$250,000 - $999,999

$100,000-$249,999

$50,000-$99,999

$25,000-$49,999

$10,000-$24,999

$5,000-$9,999

Legacy & estate gifts

Cumulative lifetime giving of $2.5 Million+

Celebrating 25 years of consecutive giving