We are currently recruiting new volunteer patient advocates to serve on the Vancouver based Arthritis Patient Advisory Board (APAB) of Arthritis Research Canada. We seek members who represent various forms of arthritis and who are also reflective of BC’s racial and ethnic diversity — but these are desirable attributes rather than essential qualifications. A commitment of a two-year term, with the potential to participate for a further two years, is requested.
Here is what our current Patient Advisory Board Members have to say about why they volunteer.
Kelly English:
Friendship and support.
Makes me aware of what is going on at Arthritis Research Canada, and where else can you interact with researchers on a first name basis and have your opinion listened to?
I gain information on quality of life ideas and feel I am changing the world of rheumatoid arthritis, one meeting at a time.
Access to conferences, webcasts, rounds etc. which give so much information.
Challenges me to step out of my comfort zone sometimes.
It is flexible – people are understanding and make it easy to contribute at meetings, whether in person of via web conferencing.
Joyce Ma:
The reason why I volunteer started from wanting to get more information about my disease. Now I enjoy helping spread the result of research projects through ROAR and writing tips and tricks in our newsletter to help others who are suffering with arthritis. I feel I have something to contribute, through my experiences, to help others through project collaboration.
Karen Tsui:
The amazing group of people you get to know and make connections with
So I can make a difference to the research that affects quality of arthritis care
The opportunities to travel to conferences that I wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise
Lianne Gulka
To a certain degree, volunteering is definitely “give and take”: we give our time and energy in exchange for certain benefits.
We “GIVE” time and energy to the group and various projects. We “TAKE” energy back from this group and the esteemed group of researchers we are fortunate to work with.
We “GIVE” our various skills and expertise from a variety of backgrounds and life experience. We “TAKE” the setting and opportunity to apply these skills for some of us either retired, disabled, or out of our previous career fields.
WE “GIVE” our perspectives and opinions (sometimes asked for and sometimes not!). We “TAKE” the chance to be mentored both by other expert consumers and related health practitioners, and researchers we become involved in.
WE “GIVE” volunteer hours and we “TAKE” the healing benefit of feeling more “EMPOWERED” to control our disease and our environment around our disease.
Sign up and receive news and updates on arthritis research aimed at arthritis prevention, early diagnosis, new and better treatment, and improved quality of life.