News – Page 4 – Muscular Dystrophy Canada

Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada Awarded 5-Year Grant from CIHR-IMHA and Funding from MDC to Strengthen Canadian Neuromuscular Research and Care

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2023

Toronto, ON – The Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada (NMD4C) has received a network grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR-IMHA), providing funding of $200 000 per year for five years – with matched funding from Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) – to strengthen the care, research and treatment of neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) for all Canadians. The new grant brings together an expanded group of clinicians, scientists and patient representatives under the leadership of Dr Hanns Lochmüller (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) and Dr Homira Osman (MDC).

“Since 2020, NMD4C has made remarkable progress in uniting Canada’s neuromuscular community. In these rare diseases, it’s crucial that we work together. We’re delighted that we have grown to more than 500 members spanning multiple disciplines, sectors, and areas of expertise. The network has made tremendous strides in building capacity through training and education, providing leadership and advocacy to improve access to approved novel treatments, and strengthening research resources and infrastructure,” explains Dr. Hanns Lochmüller, Senior Scientist, CHEO Research Institute and Professor of Neurology, University of Ottawa. “But there’s still so much more to be done. New scientific challenges and opportunities mean that networking across Canada and the globe is even more important. This new funding will allow us to expand our supportive, collaborative, networked community of neuromuscular stakeholders, bringing together an unparalleled concentration of NMD expertise to provide a Canada-wide platform for communication, collaboration, and best-practice sharing. We’re very grateful to CIHR-IMHA and MDC for the funding that allows us to continue our work. We have some really exciting plans for this next phase of the network, particularly for our young doctors and researchers, and we can’t wait to get started.”

Building on the NMD4C’s successful work over the past three years, this new grant will enable an ambitious new program of research, networking, and clinical transformation to address emerging challenges in the field of NMDs. With a total of 67 named co-investigators from across the country bringing in their wider teams of researchers, this is one of the largest networking projects in the rare disease field in Canada. Matching funds are being provided by Canada’s leading NMD advocacy organization and partner on the grant MDC, for a combined total amount of $400 000 per year of network funding.

“We greatly value our longstanding partnership with the CIHR, and are deeply thankful to our many partners, Fire Fighters, donors, volunteers and supporters who generously give so that we can fund the vital work of NMD4C,” said Dr Homira, Osman, Vice-President, Research and Public Policy, Muscular Dystrophy Canada. “In addition to offering matched funding, our role in the new grant will be to ensure evidence is translated into practices and policies that will make a tangible difference in the lives of Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders. Aligned with our recently unveiled Breaking Down Barriers five-year strategic direction, we will partner closely with researchers, clinicians, and the neuromuscular community to enhance proactive and collaborative approaches focused on strengthening infrastructure, enhancing capacity, establishing centers of excellence, and facilitating the dissemination of research outcomes.”

This new grant unites people with lived experience, knowledge users, clinicians, and researchers to execute a new research plan with the following objectives:

Learn more “Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada Awarded 5-Year Grant from CIHR-IMHA and Funding from MDC to Strengthen Canadian Neuromuscular Research and Care”

Abilities (at the) Centre of new location for Walk and Roll for Muscular Dystrophy Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2023

Toronto, Ontario – The 2023 Walk and Roll for Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) has changed venues from a local park to the Abilities Centre in Whitby in an effort to ensure the event is as accessible as possible for all participants. It takes place on June 25, 2023.

“MDC is committed to breaking down barriers for the neuromuscular community. When we determined that the park location originally selected to host the Durham Walk and Roll for Muscular Dystrophy Canada posed accessibility issues for individuals using mobility devices, we set out to find a new site,” said Stacey Lintern, CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Canada. “We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with the Abilities Centre. It is the perfect space for the Walk and Roll event, and our community.”

Walk and Roll for Muscular Dystrophy Canada is MDC’s signature fundraising event, raising funds to provide Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders support programs and services, invest in ground-breaking research and advocate for better public policies. Thirty-three events are taking place across Canada with an overall goal of raising $1.3 million.

The Abilities Centre strives to make communities more accessible and inclusive to increase the quality of life for every individual and enable them to participate fully in community life. They offer a wide range of programs and services, and lead research and advocacy on inclusion issues.

“Events like the Durham Walk and Roll for Muscular Dystrophy Canada are so important to bring attention to, and raise funds for, the organizations that are working tirelessly to make the communities where we live, work, and play more accessible and inclusive,” said Ross Ste-Croix, General Manager & COO of Abilities Centre.

Previously known as the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy, the nationwide fundraising event also underwent a name change this year to be more inclusive and reflective of the neuromuscular community. Anyone interested in participating in the Durham Walk and Roll for Muscular Dystrophy Canada can register at walkrollmdc.ca

The Durham Walk and Roll for MDC fundraising goal for 2023 is $53,000. Support your community by making a donation here.

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ABOUT MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CANADA

Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s mission is to enhance the lives of those affected with neuromuscular disorders by continually working to provide ongoing support and resources while relentlessly searching for a cure through well-funded research. To learn more about Muscular Dystrophy Canada, please explore our website or call our toll-free number at 1-800-567-2873.

ABOUT ABILITIES CENTRE

Abilities Centre exists to unlock potential through accessibility. Whether through vocational services, therapeutic recreation, adult day programs, or sport and recreation, every program and service at Abilities Centre is aimed at re-imaging how Canadians live, work and play. We continue to focus our impact to build towards an inclusive, barrier-free life for all Canadians. For more information abilitiescentre.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Heather Rice
Heather.Rice@muscle.ca
902-440-3714

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS FOR THE NEUROMUSCULAR COMMUNITY

Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s (MDC) strategic priorities represent a continuing evolution for our organization. They build upon the outcomes and learnings over the last three years, during which time our organization continued to meet the needs of clients through our programs and services, equipment, and system navigation; successfully encouraged governments to change public policy; and, supported translational and clinical research, in addition to, expanding Canadian neuromuscular research infrastructure.

Our investments in research have helped create exciting changes in the Canadian landscape. Whether it was working with our researchers and clinicians facilitating educational webinars, developing resources so our clients have access to credible and clear information, or through our shared work with the Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada (NMD4C) – our clients are benefiting from early screening and diagnosing, new treatments, trials, and standards of care.

Extending into the next five years, our unwavering focus is on expanding our base of clients to ensure we assist more Canadians with neuromuscular disorders and their families. As well, we remain committed to fiscally responsible spending – ensuring funds raised go to our organization’s mission, and to increasing our fundraising activity to meet the needs of the neuromuscular community.

In addition to our commitment to reach more Canadians affected by a neuromuscular disorder over the next five years, the strategic priorities enable our commitment to ensuring we are innovative, efficient, and inclusive by providing our community the support and information they need to make informed decisions. We will expand our programs and services to engage further with remote and underserved communities, and will provide services in the languages that make up the fabric of our country.

Government policies at the federal, provincial, territorial, and local levels have a daily impact on our community. The next five years will see MDC expand our direct advocacy efforts working in partnership with our community, other like-minded organizations, industry, partners, clients, and government.
Over the next five years we will continue to work with researchers and clinicians to enhance collaborative and proactive strategies to support infrastructure development, capacity building, develop centres of excellence and the sharing of research outcomes that benefit our community.

We will respect that as a diverse community representing a wide spectrum of cultures and experiences, there are different ways of knowing, and of approaching health. We will incorporate this understanding and a respect for the whole person – mind, body, and spirit — in all that we do. We will continue to ensure that all organizational planning and decisions align with our strategic priorities, in addition to ensuring the right measurements are in place to monitor our performance.

Finally, we will not give up the search for more and better ways to work with all our stakeholders. Our clients and their families, staff, donors, supporters, partners, and volunteers are essential members of our community and we are grateful for their support every day.

We are excited about the impact MDC will have during the next five years.

Read our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan

VALUE OF A MONTHLY GIFT

Did you know that every month, you have the opportunity to change the life of someone affected by a neuromuscular disorder?

Making a monthly donation, and becoming an MDC Changemaker is an important and rewarding way to show your support for the neuromuscular disorder community. By pledging a few dollars each month, you can provide ongoing and meaningful support, which makes a huge difference in the lives the persons affected. MDC Changemakers are part of the fabric of the neuromuscular community and their support plays a vital role in driving our work forward and ensuring that Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders have the tools and resources they need to live rich, full lives.

“Over the years, as my equipment needs have changed, Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s (MDC) support has been indispensable. With the support of donors, MDC helped me get an elevating wheelchair and even provided funding support so my family could afford a van with a power lift. And getting back some independence through this equipment has been life-changing for me. MDC made that possible.”

Alex Harold

It’s convenient: Set it and forget it!
Monthly giving is a great way to include charitable donations in your budget. Smaller donations that occur throughout the year, are generally more manageable for your personal budget. Plus, MDC issues a single, consolidated tax-receipt to all Changemakers for the full amount of their yearly donation so you don’t have to keep track of each individual gift.
Compounded impact: A little goes a long way!
A regular gift made over a longer period of time stacks up in terms of total impact. Recurring monthly gifts provide MDC with regular and predictable support that allows us to fund our life-changing programming throughout the year and better predict future cash flows.
Join an exclusive community
At MDC, our monthly donors are Changemakers; a community dedicated to breaking down barriers for the neuromuscular community. Becoming an MDC Changemaker comes with some exclusive benefits, including:

A dedicated MDC staff member to answer your questions and provide support whenever you need it;
Members-only webinars, focused on research updates;
Email-only quarterly updates to share impact statistics and good news stories;
An annual report highlighting how your support of MDC has impacted the neuromuscular community;
The feeling of pride at being a part of one of the most important communities within MDC.

Become an MDC CHANGEMAKER today, and help break down barriers for people affected by neuromuscular disorders.

GETTING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC COSTS OF NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS

Muscular Dystrophy Canada is proud of our significant contributions to understanding the costs related to living with a neuromuscular disorder (NMD) in Canada. In fact, thanks to your support, we led the first study to examine the societal cost in Canada for six common types of neuromuscular disorders: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, myotonic dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and myasthenia gravis.

What we learned is although neuromuscular disorders are rare, the total number of people with one of the six disorders mentioned above is considerable, and the total annual cost to society is substantial ($4.6 billion). It also left us wondering, what are the indirect costs for individuals affected and their families: how much time is spent in clinics and hospitals, away from work and school, and how much time and money is spent on travel, medications, rehabilitation, assistive devices and equipment, diagnostics, home therapies and other aspects of life with an NMD.

BIND, is a comprehensive new study funded by CIHR and led by Dr Jodi Warman-Chardon from the University of Ottawa, which will collect information about the hidden and indirect costs of living with any neuromuscular disorder, at any age.

Watch now: Dr Jodi Warman- Chardon leads BIND study:

With new treatments and therapies becoming available in the near future, the BIND study will be leveraged to make informed decisions to influence public policies and healthcare system planning, as well as to shape Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s programming, inform our advocacy work, and help provide information to decision-makers about what families affected by neuromuscular disorders need most.

MDC is also calling on people with myasthenia gravis (MG) to help us map the Patient Journey: What were the first signs and symptoms of MG? How long did it take to get a diagnosis? How is MG managed today?

To participate in BIND or Myasthenia Gravis: The Patient Journey in Canada, please email research@muscle.ca or call 1-800-567-2873 ext. 1114.

TOGETHER WE ARE BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THERAPIES FOR CANADIANS AFFECTED BY FSHD

Canadians affected by facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) could face substantial delays in accessing clinical trials and any Health Canada approved life-changing treatments and therapies when they become available. Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) is working with the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) and the Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada (NMD4C) to help prevent that from happening.

“Studies show that Canadians have less frequent and timely access to therapies for rare diseases, like FSHD; that very few therapies approved elsewhere in the world are even submitted to Health Canada for regulatory approval; and, that if treatment is approved there is a vast difference in who has access across the provinces and we are working hard to change this,” said Stacey Lintern, CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

There are more than a dozen FSHD therapies currently in development. The work that MDC is leading will help introduce a patient registry and collect information to build a Canada-wide core dataset for FSHD to speed up development, approval and access to treatments regardless of where a person lives in Canada.

“We know from our experience with spinal muscular atrophy therapies that our government requires Canadian data when reviewing a treatment. With this FSHD dataset and registry, MDC wants to get out ahead of the treatments being developed and address the challenges and barriers to access so that Canadians can access treatments as soon as possible. We’re also hopeful more biopharmaceutical companies will establish sites, and conduct clinical trials in Canada,” added Lintern.

“The CNDR is dedicated to working in close partnership with Muscular Dystrophy Canada and NMD4C to promote opportunities to participate in cutting-edge clinical trials for patients affected by FSHD but to also collect data towards ensuring access to future therapies once approved,” said Dr Lawrence Korngut, National Principal Investigator and neurologist at the University of Calgary.

“Enabling Canadians living with FSHD to register in a single national system allows them to signal their interest in participating in clinical trials, provide the essential Canadian baseline data that the regulators want to see, and be contacted when new treatments become available,” said Dr Hanns Lochmüller, NMD4C Investigator and FSHD clinical trialist.

By engaging partners, MDC is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians from accessing life-changing treatments, not just for FSHD, but for all neuromuscular disorders and investigating additional opportunities that would benefit our community.

Would you like to help determine what is included in the FSHD dataset and share your Canadian experience? Join us for a virtual roundtable by emailing research@muscle.ca

RAISING THE BAR FOR NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL CARE IN CANADA

Thanks to Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s (MDC) incredible supporters, when opportunities arise to improve the care, research and treatment of neuromuscular disorders (NMD) for Canadians, we’re able to act. Such was the case with the Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada (NMD4C).

Launched in January 2020, with funding from MDC and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), NMD4C was created to provide a comprehensive, inclusive, open and enduring network through which Canadian stakeholders can share expertise and data, and collaborate on joint activities and research. In addition to helping fund the network, MDC also became an equal partner and helps support knowledge translation.

Three years later, MDC has worked with NMD4C to:

introduce support for clinical and post-doctoral research fellows;
provide up-to-date clinical and research education through monthly accredited webinars, and forums for dialogue and exchange;
create a national competency standard that recognizes advanced neuromuscular training;
develop an accredited and standardized Canadian neuromuscular fellowship curriculum;
build a virtual Canadian neuromuscular disorder biobank catalogue;
update the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry by adding two new disease datasets;
establish NMD clinical trials, as well as clinical trial capacity;
and, launch ‘imPORTND’, the first patient-oriented training platform developed specifically for neuromuscular disease research.

“Being a patient partner enables me to have meaningful input into research, to increase its relevance to quality of life and ensure that among its measures are things that are important to patients,” said Corinne Kagan, Patient Research Partner and co-developer of the imPORTND training modules.

“As a partner and funder, MDC has ensured that Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders remain at the forefront of NMD4C’s decision making, activities and outcomes. From investing in early career researchers and clinicians and developing a virtual biobank, to strengthening the clinical landscape, the goal has always been to positively influence the NMD healthcare experience in Canada and to build research capacity and knowledge about these rare disorders,” said Dr Homira Osman, Vice President of Research and Public Policy, Muscular Dystrophy Canada. “We (MDC) remain committed to the network, and to working together to raise the bar for clinical and research standards in Canada and build upon the momentum currently taking place in research.”

Learn more about imPORTND

To learn more about NMD4C and how you can support or become involved, contact research@muscle.ca

MDC IS HERE FOR YOU!

Whether you live on the east coast, the west coast, the Prairies or central Canada, MDC is here to support you. We have Service Specialists across the country who will be happy to work alongside you, ensuring you have the information and support you need. Meet Ryanne, our Service Specialist in Atlantic Canada.

“As a Service Specialist I am able to work directly with clients and their families to support them in achieving a wide range of goals and navigation of the healthcare system. When we are able to provide funding towards an essential piece of equipment, we are not only supporting our clients with the financial strain that accompanies living with a neuromuscular disorder, but we are also providing hope for the possibilities of what they will accomplish with this equipment. Being able to provide this kind of support and making positive connections with our families truly is my favorite part about working at MDC.”

“The majority of the disorders we cover are so rare that it can make you feel isolated. It is so important for our clients to understand that is why MDC is here, to ensure you do not have to navigate living with a neuromuscular disorder alone.”

Are you or someone you know living with a neuromuscular disorder? MDC has a wide range of programs and services designed to meet you where you are. Whether it is information on your disorder, helping you with accommodation needs at work or school, navigating the healthcare system, housing or financial issues, or helping you secure equipment – we’re here to help. Visit muscle.ca/services-support/need-help/ to find a Service Specialist near you, or call us at 1-800-567-2873.

Muscular Dystrophy Canada, AccessNow teaming up to make travel more accessible for people with disabilities

Toronto, Ontario – Traveling can be a very stressful event for people using mobility devices and can negatively impact their independence and safety. Far too often, we know critical mobility devices are being damaged in transit impacting a person’s mobility. Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) and AccessNow are partnering to equip travellers with the information they need to plan and advocate for safe and comfortable travel.

Travel inequity is something AccessNow founder and disability activist, Maayan Ziv, has experienced herself.

“It is so important for people with disabilities to be aware and knowledgeable of their rights. Too often there are excuses for why we can’t be accommodated. Knowing your rights is half the battle,” said Ziv. “These incidents continue to happen, so until legislation is passed by the Canadian government, we have to equip people with the information and resources they need to avoid as many problems as possible.”

“We’ve heard far too many accounts from our clients and others about inequitable travel experiences,” said Stacey Lintern, CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Canada. “We are committed to better understanding the barriers and working with AccessNow, people with disabilities, the travel industry, government and other stakeholders to address these issues so people traveling with mobility devices have an equitable, positive and safe travel experience. Currently, Canada does not track this information so our first step is to gather data.”

This lack of information makes it difficult for people with disabilities to prepare and make informed travel plans. MDC and AccessNow are committed to working with people with disabilities to gather data, and then develop an Accessible Travel Toolkit that can be used as a guide for persons with disabilities to use to ensure positive travel experience.

We want to hear from you. We’re collecting travel experiences to create an Accessible Travel Toolkit to address the inequities people with mobility devices face when travelling.

Have your voice heard, complete the survey here

Break down barriers for people like Christina today!

Christina was twelve years old when she started to experience weakness in her legs. She struggled to get up off the floor and just climbing stairs became very hard. Sometimes, her legs would give out entirely.

As an active and energetic youth who was involved in many sports, Christina kept making excuses for her sudden change in abilities. “I’m just being clumsy,” or “My legs are just not strong enough”, she said.
As her muscle weakness continued to progress, Christina was referred to a specialist. After several tests and visits, she and her family received life altering news.

Christina was diagnosed with Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy.

Finally, Christina and her family had the answers they so desperately needed. Initially relieved to finally have an explanation for her change in ability, her diagnosis led to many more questions— questions that no one seemed to have the answers to.

“My parents and I had never heard of neuromuscular disorders before,” she says. “This was a new world to us. There were a lot of questions and tests and doctors weren’t able to give us clear information about what this would mean for me going forward. It was hard to get answers to these really important questions.”

We need your support now to ensure people like Christina and her family have access to the resources they need. Someone to answer questions and to act as a guide along the way. Your gift will help break down barriers.

When a Canadian is diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder, we know they will need a lot of support and services. But the systems around us – provincial healthcare, private insurance, and government policy – aren’t set up to give that kind of full support. These systems are also difficult for people to navigate. So that’s why we’re here – to fill in the healthcare gaps and help people find their way through these systems.

MDC has a full spectrum of programs, services, and supports for the thousands of Canadians of all ages living with a neuromuscular disorder. Plus, we invest in transformative research to work towards more answers, therapies, and hopefully, potential cures.

Please consider becoming a monthly donor today. Monthly donations provide ongoing support, allowing MDC to be nimble and respond to immediate and urgent priorities – like the needs of our clients and emerging, promising research.

Donate Today!

While Christina still doesn’t have all the answers to her questions, she knows that MDC is with her every step of the way and that research plays an important role in her quality of life. Christina emphasizes that even without a cure, the diagnosis itself was crucial.

“As hard as the diagnosis may be, education is one of the most important pieces,” she says. “It is a big step in accepting your diagnosis and leading the best life possible. You will have to advocate for yourself, and being informed is one of the best ways you can do that!”

Please renew your commitment to MDC today by making a monthly gift. Your support helps provide Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders with answers to their most important questions. By making a gift today, you will provide access to the critical information they need to make informed decisions about their health.

Donors like you make MDC’s support of individuals and families possible. Your generosity today will help eliminate the barriers that keep Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders from reaching their full potential.

Today, at 35 years old, Christina’s neuromuscular disorder plays a big part in how she moves and operates every single day, but it doesn’t stop her from living her best life. As a self-described social-butterfly who enjoys travelling and going to concerts, Christina credits MDC with helping her have such a positive outlook.

“MDC has played a very important role in who I am today. It has given me the tools to connect with people that are affected like me,” she says. “It has educated me and has made me comfortable in my own skin”.

With your ongoing support, we can help other people affected by neuromuscular disorders achieve their own goals and live their best lives, too.

With your help, we can accomplish incredible things!

Donate Today!