2025 ARThritis Soirée Raises Over $440,000 to Change Lives

The elegant cocktail event took place at the Paradox Vancouver on May 22. It hosted business and community leaders, doctors and healthcare professionals, philanthropists, people living with arthritis, and individuals who gathered to show their incredible support for Canada’s largest clinical arthritis research organization.

“Arthritis is a serious disease affecting a growing number of Canadians,” said Dr. Diane Lacaille, Scientific Director. “We need to stop thinking about it as something that only happens to older adults. Our research team is working to find answers for over six million Canadians of all ages battling this life-altering disease.”

There are more than 100 types of arthritis that cost the Canadian economy an estimated $33 billion per year in treatment costs and lost productivity. And while treatments have advanced, arthritis symptoms like pain, fatigue, mental health challenges, serious complications and more continue to adversely affect a person’s ability to work, exercise, and complete daily tasks. In some cases, arthritis complications can be life-threatening.

Despite these facts and the number of Canadians affected, arthritis research receives only two percent of available research dollars in Canada. For this reason, the ARThritis Soirée has become a significant event in raising awareness and funds for arthritis research, shining a light on this invisible, misunderstood disease.

“As a rheumatologist, I can tell you that arthritis has a major impact on quality of life,” said Dr. Lacaille. “We are developing tools and resources to change lives today thanks to the generous support of donors and sponsors.”

The ARThritis Soirée is a success year-over-year thanks to the collective and generous efforts of sponsors, guests, donors, artists, volunteers, along with the energy of co-hosts – Coleen Christie of Global BC and ‘Man About Town’ Fred Lee.

Arthritis Research Canada is grateful to Beachcomber Hot Tubs, proudly Canadian since 1978, for supporting arthritis research as Presenting Sponsor of the 2025 ARThritis Soirée. “At Beachcomber Hot Tubs, we firmly believe in the transformative power of research to change lives,” said Keith Scott, Founder and CEO. “As the presenting sponsor of Arthritis Research Canada’s 2025 ARThritis Soirée, we are proud to support ground-breaking efforts that pave the way for innovative treatments and promote better health, happiness, and quality of life for the millions of people affected by arthritis.”

Arthritis Research Canada’s team of expert scientists are preventing the devastating complications of arthritis such as heart attacks, strokes and blood clots. They are also improving mental health and creating tools to help people keep working, be physically active, make vaccine decisions, safely start families, and get high-quality sleep. They are using innovative, state-of-the-art technology to develop new treatments and so much more.

To learn about Arthritis Research Canada’s current research, click here.

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  ABOUT ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CANADA: Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research institution in North America. Our mission is to transform the lives of people impacted by arthritis through patient-centred research and engagement. Arthritis Research Canada’s scientific director, Dr. Diane Lacaille, leads a team of over 100 researchers, trainees and staff whose life-changing research is creating a future where people with arthritis have the knowledge and tools to triumph over pain and disability. Arthritis Research Canada is now conducting arthritis research from coast to coast with centres in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and scientists affiliated with ten major Canadian universities: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, University of Alberta, Western University, Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke and Dalhousie University. Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, finding new and better treatments, and improving quality of life. For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Heather Caulder Senior Officer, Marketing and Communications Arthritis Research Canada 604-207-4010 hcaulder@arthritisresearch.ca