The Raymond Chang Foundation generously donates $300,000 to advance childhood arthritis research

Gift recognizes Arthritis Awareness Month and funds essential research through Arthritis Society Canada’s Stop Childhood Arthritis Initiative.

Childhood arthritis is a complicated disease that impacts an estimated 25,000 children in Canada. The causes are not yet fully understood, and available treatments aren’t effective for all children. 

There is an urgent need to expand research investments towards childhood arthritis to help find a cure and alleviate the chronic pain that patients endure, and that’s why the Raymond Chang Foundation has made a transformative gift that gives hope to children living with arthritis.  

The Foundation’s $300,000 gift to Arthritis Society Canada’s Stop Childhood Arthritis Initiative will be used to support childhood arthritis research breakthroughs and programs in Canada, so we can help children and their families better manage their disease and learn more about its causes and prevention strategies. 

"Arthritis Society Canada stands as a beacon of hope and support for millions of individuals grappling with the debilitating challenges of arthritis,” says Brigette Chang, Director, Raymond Chang Foundation. “With unwavering dedication, this remarkable organization has consistently championed the cause of arthritis awareness, research, and patient care for 75 years.  The Raymond Chang Foundation is proud to lend its support in the area of juvenile arthritis research, as we work towards finding a cure that will allow young Canadians to live their best life pain-free."

Arthritis Society Canada launched the Stop Childhood Arthritis Initiative in 2018 to answer pressing questions about childhood arthritis. The Raymond Chang Foundation has been a generous supporter of the Initiative since 2019, contributing a total of $550,000 to-date. Their longstanding support is helping Arthritis Society Canada researchers develop personalized treatments, improve supporting care and take important steps toward a cure. 

“With support from invaluable partners like The Raymond Chang Foundation we can make a meaningful and lasting impact on solving the mysteries of childhood arthritis,” says Jennifer Stewart, Chief Development Officer at Arthritis Society Canada. “This generous gift brings much needed hope to countless children and their families by bringing us closer than ever to finding a cure for childhood arthritis.”

About Arthritis 

Arthritis affects 1 in 5 Canadians (1:4 women and 1:6 men) and is a leading cause of disability. Most people, however, underestimate its seriousness. Arthritis causes excruciating pain, restricts mobility and diminishes quality of life. It impacts people of all ages, including children and more than half of people living with the disease are under age 65.  

About Arthritis Society Canada  

Fueled by the trust and support of our donors and volunteers, Arthritis Society Canada is Canada’s national health charity fighting arthritis with research, advocacy, innovation, information and support. We represent the six million Canadians living with arthritis today, and the millions more who are impacted or at risk. Without action now, the number of Canadians living with arthritis will grow to nine million by 2040. Arthritis Society Canada is accredited under Imagine Canada's Standards Program. For more information, visit arthritis.ca.  

For more information or to arrange interviews:
Zehra Goawala
Arthritis Society Canada
416-668-4320
zgoawala@arthritis.ca

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