This World Arthritis Day, your gift has 2X the power.
Arthritis steals so much. It devastates lives, stealing mobility, independence and dreams. Nothing is left untouched.
1 in 5 Canadians lives with arthritis. Maybe it’s a loved one, a friend, or even yourself.
But there is hope. Together, we can change the future for the 6 million Canadians affected.
This World Arthritis Day, your gift will be MATCHED dollar-for-dollar to advance a nationwide strategy revolutionizing health outcomes and quality of life for people with arthritis.
Donate now to double your impact and help take back what arthritis has stolen.
See how your gift will make an impact
Research
Fund critical arthritis research and innovation and help create a brighter future.
Support
Enhance education and life-changing support programs for the 6 million Canadians with arthritis.
Advocacy
Support advocacy efforts for timely, equitable arthritis care access for all in Canada.
“Our work relies heavily on the generosity of donors. Their support is essential in advancing our understanding of arthritis, developing life-changing treatments and hopefully, one day, discovering a cure that will end this disease.”
– Dr. Anthony Perruccio, researcher funded by Arthritis Society Canada
Help take back what arthritis has stolen
Tina's story
Numerous surgeries and nearly a year spent waiting for the next one. Tina is no stranger to the enduring agony of arthritis; she was born with hip dysplasia and began showing signs of arthritis in her 20s. Now 56, Tina has severe osteoarthritis, which “presents like that of an 80-year-old”, according to her physician.
Always in pain, Tina has had to give up the possibility of working and can no longer go grocery shopping without relying on the help of others. She lives with the ongoing fear of being isolated and having to depend on others to take care of her. “I feel like arthritis has robbed me of my humanity and sense of being.”
Exhaustion plagues her and the pain leaves her feeling emotionally drained, impacting her mental health, social life and relationships. “I feel as if I am always on a day pass — and that my autonomy and mobility are time-limited, with no idea when I’ll no longer be able to care for myself.”
After her family doctor recommended hip replacement surgery, she waited nearly a year for a date. “The frustration of having a clear solution but no timeline was overwhelming.” Now that she’s had her surgery, the pain in her hips has improved, but arthritis continues to wreak havoc on many of her other joints, and future surgeries will be required to maintain her level of mobility.
Gilbert's story
As a truck owner-operator, Gilbert is no stranger to physical labor—tying down cargo on flatbed trailers, wrangling heavy straps, laying out protective tarps, and handling truck repairs. Starting in his 50s, osteoarthritis took a toll, making his work nearly unbearable. “I have less mobility, flexibility, and strength, and it’s difficult to bend my knees,” he shares. “I used to do a lot of repairs myself, but now I can’t bend under the truck or kneel down.”
For a long time, Gilbert thought his pain was normal and that over-the-counter painkillers and cortisone shots were his only options. At his family’s urging, he finally sought a referral to an orthopedic surgeon who confirmed he needed both knees replaced. It was then that Gilbert realized his pain wasn’t something to just push through – that if he’d seen a specialist sooner, he could have had a better outcome.
Long waitlists add to Gilbert’s pain. He is losing precious time at the job he still loves as arthritis steals more of his mobility. “After waiting two years, I finally had my right knee replaced. Now I’m on another long waitlist for my second knee. The pain and strain have forced me to reduce my work hours and give up some physical tasks,” says Gilbert. “I still love my job and am not ready to retire.”
Diana's story
Diana had lived with constant, undiagnosed pain since her teenage years. At 33, while pregnant with her first child, the pain became unbearable. “My body felt like it was burning. I couldn’t get out of bed or walk to the bathroom. I could only move my neck. I worried about how I would care for my baby,” she recalls.
Her doctor assured her the pain would subside after childbirth. However, two weeks after her daughter was born, the pain became excruciating. “I couldn’t nurse or hold my baby,” she says. Debilitating pain, limited mobility, and fatigue persisted for seven months until Diana was finally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
Navigating early motherhood is challenging, but for those like Diana, dealing with rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups makes it a test of physical and mental endurance. The intense pain and inflammation made even simple tasks, like changing a diaper, feel insurmountable. This physical toll was compounded by the emotional strain of feeling inadequate in providing care for her baby.
Arthritis had stolen the joy of being a new mom. Moments of happiness were overshadowed by frustration and guilt, as Diana struggled with not being the active, engaged mother she wanted to be. The demands of her professional career added further stress, as she strove to maintain high performance.
Today, eighteen years after her diagnosis, Diana has found a way to live with rheumatoid arthritis, balancing her love of family, career, and health. Her greatest concern remains the impact on her children. “I want my girls to see their mom as strong and resilient. I want my journey to show that strength is not just physical but also about the courage to face challenges and the wisdom to seek balance. I will always have pain in my life. I accept that and work hard every day to stay grounded and accomplish all the things I set out to do. And I will.”
FAQ
Arthritis impacts the lives of six million of our loved ones, friends and neighbours. It is Canada’s most common chronic condition, yet it rarely gets the attention it deserves. That’s why Arthritis Society Canada is on a mission to change the conversation and let the world know it’s not “just” arthritis.
Fortunately, we’re fueled by a community of generous, loyal supporters who share our commitment to fighting the fire of arthritis with the fire of research, innovation, advocacy, and information and support.
Of course. You always remain in full control of your recurring donation, and you’re free to change or cancel it at any time.
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Your gift is tax deductible as per your local regulations, as we are a tax-exempt organization. We will email you a donation receipt. Please keep this, as it is your official record to claim this donation as a tax credit.
Donations of $20 Canadian or more are eligible to receive a receipt. If you make your gift online, you will receive an electronic receipt via email on the same day. If you make your gift over the phone or by mail, your receipt will be sent to you via email or mail approximately two weeks after your donation is processed.
Arthritis Society Canada represents the six million people in Canada living with arthritis today, and the millions more who are impacted or at risk. Driven by the trust and support of our donors and volunteers, Arthritis Society Canada is fighting arthritis with research, advocacy, innovation, information and support.
We are Canada’s largest charitable funder of cutting-edge arthritis research. We will not give up our efforts until everyone is free from the agony of arthritis. Arthritis Society Canada is accredited under Imagine Canada’s Standards Program.
Thanks to our generous donor, the Oldfield Family, your gift will be matched 2X, doubling in value. The first $100,000 received by midnight on October 12, 2025, is eligible for this special matching gift opportunity.
Our promise to you: Arthritis Society Canada is committed to honouring your generosity and using it in the most effective way. If funds raised exceed the amount required for the designated purpose, Arthritis Society Canada, acting reasonably, may allocate the donation towards the organization’s highest priority needs.
