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ALS Canada Applauds Government of Canada’s Research Investment
TORONTO, June 5, 2009 – Canadians with neurological conditions, caregivers and representatives from Neurological Health Charities Canada celebrate the announcement of $15 million in research funding, made on June 5th by The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada’s Minister of Health. The investment will fund the first-ever national study on the prevalence and impact of neurological diseases in Canada.
“We are pleased with the government’s commitment to improving the health of Canadians through this new research funding,” says David Cameron, President and CEO of ALS Society of Canada. “We look forward to working with the government and other neurological charities to better understand the needs of Canadians affected by neurological diseases.”
The term ‘neurological conditions’ refers the group of more than 1,000 diseases, disorders and injuries affecting the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. Most are progressive and degenerative, with no known cause or cure. And, while therapies exist for some conditions, in most cases, there is no way to stop or even slow the progression.
Experts estimate that more than 3 million Canadians are living with a neurological condition that produces life altering, and in some cases life-threatening, symptoms that drastically complicate daily living. Without appropriate programs, services and care, a neurological condition may inhibit an individual’s ability to participate fully in life – an impact that extends to their families and caregivers.
NEUROLOGICAL HEALTH CHARITIES CANADA (NHCC) is a collective of organizations that represent people with chronic, often progressive, neurological and/or neuromuscular diseases, disorders, conditions and injuries in Canada. The NHCC’s role is to provide leadership, evaluating and advancing new opportunities for collaboration specific to advocacy, education and research projects, related to brain health.
NHCC members include: ALS Society of Canada, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation, Canadian Alliance of Brain Tumor Organizations, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation Canada, Epilepsy Ontario, Huntington Society of Canada, March of Dimes, Mood Disorder Society of Canada, MS Society of Canada, Muscular Dystrophy Canada, NeuroScience Canada, Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, Parkinson Society Canada, Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario, Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada.
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For more information:
Bobbi Greenberg
Director of Communications
ALS Society of Canada
416-497-2267 ext. 208 
Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq is joined by members of the 17 organizations that make up Neurological Health Charities Canada, Friday, June 5, 2009 in Toronto, after having announced Canada's first national study on neurological diseases.
Back Row (L to R): Patrick Brown, MP Barrie; Femma Norton, Canadian Alliance of Brain Tumor Organizations; Tim Irwin, Huntington Society of Canada; Derryn Gill, Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario; Rosie Wartecker, Tourette Syndrome Foundation Canada; Janet MacMaster, March of Dimes Canada; Diane Gillespie, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation Canada; Yves Savoie, MS Society of Canada; Kent Bassett-Spiers, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation; Debbie Bezenkowski, Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Front Row (L to R): Catherine Sherrard, Muscular Dystrophy Canada; The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health for Canada; Bobbi Greenberg, ALS Society of Canada; Inez Jabalpurwala, NeuroScience Canada; Joyce Gordon, Parkinson Society Canada.
NHCC Members not represented: Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation, Mood Disorders Society of Canada, Epilepsy Ontario, Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy.
| Posted On: Friday, June 12, 2009 Modified: Thursday, June 25, 2009 Category: Press Releases Posted By: |