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Community Action Grants
Arthritis Society Canada is committed to extinguishing the fire of arthritis in communities across Canada. This is why we offer Community Action Grants aimed at providing more opportunities for people to connect, learn, and thrive with arthritis in their own communities. Living with pain can be isolating, but together we can fight the fire of arthritis.
Community Action Grants support communities exploring local solutions. We are looking to support groups and individuals addressing arthritis-related needs specific to their communities, including health inequities and disparities that impact access to arthritis information and care.
Arthritis affects 1 in 5 people over the age of 15, and almost half of people over the age of 65. This program will help community members, groups and organizations deliver arthritis and joint pain related programs, services, or information directly in communities.
Our grant funding is always contingent upon the generosity of our donors. The maximum grant per application is $5,000 for up to one year of activities. These grants are non-renewable.
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Support and Resources in British Columbia
In this section, we provide you a series of resources and information to help you find support in your local community to live better with arthritis. You will find information on:
Arthritis Society Resources
Throughout the year the Arthritis Society a number of educational webinars through Arthritis Talks. These webinars feature experts in arthritis including rheumatologists, surgeons, researchers and other healthcare professionals that offer valuable information to help you better understand arthritis and manage your disease.
You can also find a list of the Arthritis Society’s digital tools and resources.
Telephone Support
The Arthritis Answers Line is a toll-free telephone information service staffed by highly trained volunteers who provide information, support, and assistance to those who call.
1-800-321-1433 (toll-free)
Email: info@bc.arthritis.ca
Mary Pack Arthritis Program
The Mary Pack Arthritis Program provides treatment services for thousands of children and adults living with arthritis in British Columbia. Referral is usually initiated by family physicians and specialists and resources include a range treatment and education services and interdisciplinary team programs.
Outpatient services are offered at sites in Vancouver, Victoria, Penticton and Cranbrook and Inpatient Rehabilitation services are provided at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver and the Penticton Regional Hospital.
Programs and services available at each site are guided by the needs of client and the composition of the health professional team. Referrals may be recommended / arranged with other providers in the service continuum (e.g. chronic disease self-management classes, nutrition counseling, vocational rehab services, recreation counseling, sexual health clinicians etc.)
Osteoarthritis Service and Integration System (OASIS)
OASIS was developed to meet the unique needs of patients, families and health care providers dealing with osteoarthritis by providing information about self-management, prevention, alternatives to surgery and preparing for surgery. OASIS also provides access to resources and support services, services for people who do not speak English and services for people dealing with multiple health concerns. They connect people who have osteoarthritis, their families and health care providers with information, education and support to manage osteoarthritis at every stage of the disease.
Rheumatologists in British Columbia
A Rheumatologist is an internist or pediatrician who is qualified by additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other disease of the joints, muscles, and bones.
To see a rheumatologist, you will need a referral from your family physician. A current list is available from the website of the Canadian Rheumatology Association or by visiting the BC Society of Rheumatologists website.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Services
GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
A short stay inpatient rehabilitation program available to clients with systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases and/or associated reconstructive surgery. Clients range in age from young adults to seniors. Clients are referred to the Program by a rheumatologist. For further information about the Program or questions about the referral process contact the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.
Other support for people living with arthritis
Social support
Coping with a chronic condition such as arthritis is challenging. There are some groups that provide emotional support through individual support, self-help groups, and information and referral to community resources.
Young Adults with Arthritis in BC
Facebook: Young Adults with Arthritis in BC
The Young Adults with Arthritis in BC Facebook group was started by the Arthritis Social Crew. It is a casual, fun group that supports young adults living with various forms of arthritis. The group posts about interesting information, sharing group events and other events/activities people living with arthritis may be interested in.
Hang Tough - Coquitlam's Community Arthritis Support Group
email: info@bc.arthritis.ca
The group meets on the first non-holiday Monday of the month, except for January, July and August in the tri-cities. Meetings alternate between a guest speaker and a topic discussion with a tea and goodie break during each one.
Arthritis BC+Me
The Arthritis BC+Me portal is designed to help BC patients learn about arthritis and the currently available arthritis programs and resources in the province.
BC Chapter of Canadian Spondylitis Association
1704 – 1616 Pendrell Street, Vancouver, BC V6G 1S8
Contact: Don Bindon or Aimee Bindon
Tel: 604-684-3550
email: bc@spondylitis.ca
Self-help group for patients and interested health professionals. Encourages public and professional awareness of ankylosing spondylitis; encourages world-wide communications with other spondylitis groups; and offers mutual support and patient education. For more information, click here.
Arthritis Consumer Experts
Arthritis Consumer Experts is a national organization that provides free, science-based information and education programs in both official languages to people with arthritis. ACE serves people living with all forms of arthritis by helping them take control of their disease and improve their quality of life through education and empowerment.
BC Lupus Society
210 - 888 W 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3Y1 Tel: 604.714.5564 or Toll Free: 1.866.585.8787 email: info@bclupus.org
The BC Lupus Society hosts education and support groups for lupus patients and their families.
Cassie + Friends
Cassie + Friends is the only charity in Canada dedicated 100% to the pediatric rheumatic disease community. Working with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers and other friends they help kids and families face the ups and downs of life with a chronic condition.
MEFM Societies of BC
Box 462, 916 West Broadway Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K7 Tel: (604) 878.7707 or Toll-Free 1.888.353.6322 email: info@mefm.bc.ca
The MEFM Society of BC was formed in 2004 following the amalgamation of the Fibromyalgia Society of BC and the ME Society of BC. They are a not for profit organization that was formed to help and support people, and their families, living with the health conditions Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and/or Fibromyalgia (FM).
Osteoporosis Society of Canada - BC Branch
Osteoporosis Canada, a registered charity, is the only national organization serving people who have, or are at risk for, osteoporosis. The organization works to educate, empower and support individuals and communities in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis.
Pain BC
Web: www.painbc.ca/supportgroups
Email: supportgroups@painbc.ca
Phone: 1-844-430-0818
Pain BC’s Pain Support & Wellness Groups bring together people living with pain in a safe, welcoming and confidential online space to support each other while learning new pain management skills. The support groups meet via Zoom videoconference or by dialing in from a telephone and are free to attend for all British Columbians with persistent pain who are 19 years or older.
Scleroderma Association of British Columbia
PO Box 16155 Lynn Valley, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3H2
Tel: 604.940.9343 or Toll Free 1.888.940.9343
email: scleroderma@telus.net
The Scleroderma Association of BC offers support groups for people with scleroderma and their families, friends and others interested in the condition. Provides pamphlets and educational material on scleroderma, Raynaud's phenomenon, Sjogren's Syndrome, and CREST Syndrome.
Self Management British Columbia
Self-Management BC, hosted through the University of Victoria, offers a menu of self-management programs available to British Columbians online, by telephone, and by mail. Programs are for adults of all ages living with one or more ongoing health conditions and there is no cost to participate.
Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation
Founded in 1983 the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation provides patients with practical information and coping strategies that minimize the effects of Sjögren's. In addition, the Foundation is the clearinghouse for medical information and is the recognized national advocate for Sjögren's.