Mother and Child

Our Value

The Canadian Rheumatology Association Foundation (CRAF) was created with patient care in mind. Our goal is to ensure all Canadians receive the best care available and to advance innovative research to find appropriate treatment and ultimately cures for rheumatic disease. We value our patients’ stories and how they can help create change. Stories have the power to inspire and compel action.

Mission:
To create opportunities to support current and future rheumatology professionals to deliver the best care possible by funding research, training and advocacy.

Vision:
Curing rheumatic diseases, enabled by you.

Research is Crucial

“I have had RA for 42 years and have seen a positive since the early 1980s in detection, diagnosis, treatment and patient engagement for RA. I am a huge believer/supporter of ongoing research and development of finding new and different approaches on ways to alleviate the pain and discomfort of RA sufferers. We need research to happen; we need funding to allow that research to happen. As our society ‘ages’ the overall demographics of Canada will introduce arthritis to more and more Canadians.”

Jeff Aarssen

A Lifetime of Care

“I was diagnosed with Juvenile arthritis when I was 5 years old. I am 35 years old now. Back then, Rheumatism was not easily diagnosed in children and took more than 3 months with high fever, joint pain and other symptoms to discover the disease and get treatment. I was treated for almost 10 years with trial injections and other options to guarantee I had a ‘normal’ childhood. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and I am again fighting, almost 30 years after my first episode. As an invisible disease, it’s hard to understand that living with autoimmune conditions changes your life – only you know how taking care of your health is your biggest priority. The CRA had a huge impact on me by offering the knowledge and encouraging researchers to bring the best medication to Canada.”

Edna Santos