For more than a quarter century, Arthritis Research Canada/Arthrite-recherche Canada has been transforming the lives of people impacted by arthritis through patient-centred research and engagement.

As North America’s leading clinical arthritis research organization, our team of 100+ scientists finds answers to improve quality of life for over 6 million Canadians diagnosed with different forms of arthritis.

Scroll down to learn more about our history.

1999
January 1
1999
  • Arthritis Research Canada was created by world-renowned scientist and rheumatologist Dr. John Esdaile and a dedicated Board of Directors. Together, they shared a vision to conduct practical research for everyday living, research that would immediately touch and improve the lives of people with arthritis through timelier and cost-effective solutions.
2000
February 28
2000

 

  • Our first center opened on West 10th Avenue in Vancouver, BC. The team was composed of one scientist (Dr. Jacek Kopec), one trainee (Dr. Diane Lacaille), and one administrative staff (Helen Langford).

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  • According to the 2000 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), arthritis and other rheumatic conditions affected nearly 4 million Canadians aged 15 years and older – approximately 1 in 6 people. Two-thirds of people with arthritis were women, and nearly 3 of every 5 people with arthritis were younger than 65 years of age.
2002
January 2
2002


 

  • The Arthritis Research Patient Advisory Board was created. The Board is comprised of volunteer advocates with arthritis who bring their lived experience and arthritis knowledge to research decision-making at Arthritis Research Canada. We are committed to meaningful engagement of patients as partners in our research and ensuring their voices are present at all levels of our organization.
2004
February 28
2004
  • Arthritis Research Canada’s Senior Scientist Dr. Jolanda Cibere led a landmark study showing that glucosamine, a commonly used supplement for osteoarthritis, has no benefit for joint pain or arthritis progression.
2005
March 1
2005
  • Dr. John Esdaile, Cheryl Koehn (Arthritis Consumer Experts) and Dr. Gillian Hawker led the Canadian Summit on Standards for Arthritis Prevention and Care in Ottawa. The arthritis community including patients established by consensus, evidence-based standards for arthritis care.
  • A research team led by Dr. Diane Lacaille conducted a landmark study that showed that a large proportion of people with rheumatoid arthritis were not treated with disease-modifying agents, considered essential in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
2007
January 1
2007
  • Arthritis Research Canada partnered with BC’s Ministry of Health to develop a chronic disease management strategy to improve arthritis care in the province. This collaboration, which included Arthritis Consumer Experts, conducted two province-wide surveys to identify gaps in care for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, resulting in the development of a framework for arthritis care in BC.
2008
February 28
2008
  • Dr. Diane Lacaille developed the “Making it Work” program, the first comprehensive program specifically designed to prevent work disability in people with inflammatory types of arthritis and foster healthy, productive work lives.
  • Dr. Antonio Aviña Zubieta conducted important research about the increased risk of death from cardiovascular diseases in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
2010
February 28
2010
  • Arthritis Research Canada’s Senior Scientist Dr. Linda Li developed ANSWER – an innovative web-based decision aid which helped people with rheumatoid arthritis to decide which treatment is right for them.
2011
January 1
2011
  • The Arthritis Patient Advisory Board created Arthritis Research Canada’s quarterly Newsletter
  • The Arthritis Patient Advisory Board launched Reaching Out with Arthritis Research (ROAR) an annual interactive educational forum that presented Arthritis Research Canada’s latest research findings to people with arthritis, their family members, and the general public.
2012
January 1
2012

  • Arthritis Research Canada’s headquarters relocated to the Progressive Construction building on No. 3 Road in Richmond, BC. The rent-free space was generously provided by the Milan & Maureen Ilich Foundation, and the building was renamed the Milan Ilich Arthritis Research Centre.
  • Arthritis Research Canada expands to Quebec City as we welcome Research Scientist Dr. Paul Fortin from Université Laval to our team. Check out one of the studies conducted by our scientific team in Quebec.
  • The late Leslie Nielsen, who lived with knee osteoarthritis, is featured in one of Arthritis Research Canada’s videos along with Senior Scientist Dr. Jolanda Cibere. The video shows how to perform a standardized knee assessment and diagnose knee osteoarthritis.
  • Dr. John Esdaile, led the IMPAKT-Hip study aimed at delaying and preventing the development of hip osteoarthritis by determining the causes of hip pain.
2013
January 1
2013

  •  The first annual ARThritis Soirée took place on May 9, 2013, at the Vancouver Art Gallery and raised $174,000. The event was created to raise awareness about arthritis and funds to support vital research.
2014
January 1
2014
  • The Province of British Columbia and the Ministry of Health announces a $3 million investment to accelerate arthritis research at Arthritis Research Canada. British Columbia is recognized as the provincial leader in addressing arthritis.
  • A 5-year, $2.5 million project called PRECISION (Preventing Complications from Inflammatory Skin, Joint and Bowel Conditions) started and studied over 1 million Canadians with inflammatory diseases of the skin, joint or bowel.
2016
January 1
2016
  • The Patients Intéressés par la Recherche sur l’Arthrite (PIRA) d’Arthrite-Recherche Canada was formed in the Province of Quebec, with a mission to collaborate on arthritis research and promote the communication of information between researchers, people with arthritis and the community at large.
  • 5.2 million Canadians, from young children to adults, were living with arthritis. Arthritis Research Canada had more than 75 research studies underway to find answers and save lives.
  • $80 million in funding and in-kind contributions over five years are announced towards the British Columbia Support Unit for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials (the BC SUPPORT Unit). Arthritis Research Canada’s Dr. Linda Li, Senior Research Scientist, leads the Knowledge Translation Methods Cluster with the specific mandate to develop and test new Knowledge Translation and Implementation Science methods.

 

2017
January 1
2017

 

  • Olympic Snowboarder and Team Canada’s Spencer O’Brien becomes Arthritis Research Canada’s spokesperson and opens up about her personal story with rheumatoid arthritis.

 

  • The Province of British Columbia and the Ministry of Health commit a further $2 million to the Arthritis Research Acceleration Project at Arthritis Research Canada.

 

  • Arthritis Research Canada Partnered with First Nations communities to develop and evaluate culturally sensitive arthritis services such as the Arthritis Wellness Program for First Nations people who have arthritis and their family members. The occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis in Indigenous populations is three times higher than in the general population and often more severe.
2018
January 1
2018
  • Arthritis Research Canada appoints its first Honourary Patron Beverley McLachlin. The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin served as Chief Justice of Canada from 2000 to December 2017.
2019
January 1
2019
  • The Province of British Columbia and the Ministry of Health announced $2 million in funding to ensure that critical long-term Arthritis Research Canada studies can continue uninterrupted. Minister of Health, the Honourable Adrian Dix attended the 2019 ARThritis Soirée to make the announcement.
  • The Province of British Columbia is the first Canadian province to introduce a Biosimilars transition policy. Arthritis Research Canada scientists are conducting research to evaluate the impact of biosimilar transition policies and provide educational resources about biosimilars for people living with different types of inflammatory arthritis.
2020
January 1
2020
  • The COVID pandemic hit, and Arthritis Research Canada scientists reacted quickly to the need for reliable information. Our research evaluated how arthritis and drugs that suppress the immune system influenced the risk of infection and the outcomes of COVID-19. Our research informed public health policy by determining how this high-risk group should be treated and prioritized for vaccination. Our scientists also collaborated across Canada to evaluate the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines in stimulating an immune response to SARS-CoV2 and preventing future COVID-19 infections in immunosuppressed people.
  • Arthritis Research Canada’s scientists Dr. Paul Fortin and Dr. Ines Colmegna led research on the impact of COVID-19 on people living with arthritis: I have a Compromised Immune System. How Could COVID-19 Affect Me? 
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Research Update.

 

  • Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new patient outreach, the Arthritis Wellness Conversations, began. These monthly conversations provided education, support, and encouragement for people living with arthritis.
  • Arthritis Research Education Series launched. The Education Series provides an in-depth look at arthritis research and topics that matter to patients, presents information in a user-friendly, multi-media format, and is available on demand.
2021
January 1
2021


 

  • Arthritis Research Canada moves to its forever home located in the heart of British Columbia’s medical and research community.
2022
January 1
2022
  • The Province of British Columbia and the Ministry of Health announces a further $3 million for vital arthritis research at the 2022 ARThritis Soirée. The Province of BC and the Ministry of Health recognize the growing burden of arthritis on our healthcare system and demonstrate their continued commitment to British Columbians living with arthritis by supporting innovative research conducted by Arthritis Research Canada.
  • Arthritis Research Canada is officially conducting research from coast to coast with the addition of its fifth center in Nova Scotia.  We welcomed Dr. Alexandra Legge as a Research Scientist and Dr. Janet Roberts as a Clinician Investigator from Dalhousie University. Check out one of the current studies conducted by our scientific team in Nova Scotia.
2023
January 1
2023
  • Arthritis Research Canada expands to Montreal. Dr. Sabrina Anh-Tu Hoa from Université de Montréal joined our organization as a Research Scientist. Her research focuses on improving the care of patients living with systemic sclerosis. Check out one of the current studies conducted by our scientific team in Quebec.
  • The Dr. John Esdaile Professorship was created to support the career of an arthritis scientist in perpetuity. This initiative honours the legacy of Arthritis Research Canada’s visionary, Dr. John Esdaile, and our commitment to mentoring the next generation of research scientists.
2024
February 13
2024
  • The multidisciplinary research team of Arthritis Research Canada is now over 100 strong. Our world-class scientists are uniquely positioned to address the challenges of living with arthritis through the lenses of rheumatology, orthopedics, physiotherapy, kinesiology, occupational therapy, pharmaceutical sciences, rehabilitation sciences, public health, epidemiology, health psychology and behavioural change, health economics, health systems assessment, biostatistics, education, pediatrics, and knowledge mobilization.
  • Over six million Canadians are living with arthritis. That number is expected to rise to more than nine million by 2036. 1 in 4 Canadians will have arthritis.
  • Our scientific team is conducting life-changing innovative research. Our research is helping people overcome the difficulties of arthritis so that they can continue to work and go to school, take care of children, enjoy leisure time, be physically active, and so much more. Our mission is to transform the lives of people impacted by arthritis through patient-centred research and engagement. Our vision is a world where people living with arthritis can thrive. Our thanks to all of you for helping us make this possible.
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  • Arthritis Research Canada marks 25 years of conducting life-changing arthritis research. Interested to find out what that research looks like in action? Click the button below to view our 2024 research highlights.
  • Arthritis Research Canada is committed to teaching and mentoring young scientists so that they may continue to find answers and change lives for millions of Canadians, of all ages, with arthritis. Learn about our Trainees and the important research they are conducting in our Trainee Spotlights.

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