2018 ARThritis Soirée Raises over $340,000 to Benefit Arthritis Research

May 18, 2018 (Vancouver, BC) – Raising over $340,000, last night’s 6th annual ARThritis Soirée benefiting Arthritis Research Canada and presented by City Square Shopping Centre, was deemed a great success!

This triumphant evening is due to the collective and generous efforts of many sponsors, guests, donors, a stellar volunteer team, and dynamic hosts Fred Lee from CBC, Vancouver Courier and The Province’s Man About Town, and Sonia Deol, Global BC’s reporter and anchor. Thank you everyone for contributing to the evening’s fabulous achievement.

The ARThritis Soirée brings together those who share a passion for art and a desire to support arthritis research. With this year’s theme of music, guests were treated to an amazing, up close and personal performance by Juno-award winning artist, Colin James. The Roof at Hotel Vancouver was rocking as Colin played some of his most popular songs.

The ARThritis Soirée is more than just a fun night out. It is about bringing awareness to the need for arthritis research and raising funds to ensure advances in groundbreaking research continue. The evening featured some incredible stories from inspiring arthritis champions, including RBC Olympian and snowboarder Spencer O’Brien, who represented Canada at the 2018 Olympic Games and revealed her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. And Elise Boisvert, now 16 years of age who has been living with arthritis since the age of two. Elise spoke of her lifelong battle and urged everyone to make arthritis research a priority.

Naz Panahi, Chair of the ARThritis Soirée, spoke about the importance of the Soirée’s success, saying that the Soirée is an “important vehicle to increase awareness of the more than 100 forms of arthritis.” Ms. Panahi also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone’s incredible support, stating that “your support is pivotal in helping us achieve positive change for the more than 5.6 million Canadians affected by arthritis.”

Dr. John Esdaile, Scientific Director of Arthritis Research Canada, shared several examples of how donor dollars make a difference, saying that they help “propel arthritis research forward in the areas of prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, and addressing quality of life.”

The evening’s success confirmed that arthritis research is the only way to reduce the burden of arthritis and with everyone’s generous support we can make it happen.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:  
Mira Galperin at 604-207-4010 or mgalperin@arthritisresearch.ca