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Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation Registers Growth in Programs, Thanks to Powering Pain Free Movement
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n 2016 the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation (COF) launched a new major gifts program aimed at raising funds to grow its research program significantly, and to continue its investment in education and patient care. Led by Patron Dr. Marvin Tile, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, and orthopaedic surgeon at Sunnybrook HSC, the COF began reaching out to industry, surgeons and others to join the campaign. A year into the program, we look at what we have achieved to date, and are pleased to report some incredible successes.
in outstanding new research in the field of orthopaedics in Canada.”
Most notably, we have achieved tremendous success in growing the COF research program. Traditionally, we have presented two or three research awards each year. This year, thanks in large part to the success of Powering Pain Free Movement, we are able to do the following:
• The first contribution to the campaign came from The Wright Family Legacy. The family proudly boasts three generations of orthopaedic surgeons continuously carrying out orthopaedic care to Canadians for over 100 years, and the family has been committed to the COF’s success for decades. Dr. Stewart and Marilyn Wright, Dr. Paul Wright, and other Wright family members, collaborated in this important first donation to the campaign. • Bayer Healthcare is a partner of Powering Pain Free Movement, particularly committed to the Ortho Connect program which matches people scheduled for orthopaedic surgery with trained volunteers who have experienced the same surgery to lessen fear and isolation. • Sunnybrook Orthopaedic Associates pledged a multiyear commitment to the COF through Powering Pain Free Movement, noting that the orthopaedic surgeons at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre are fully aligned with the mandate of the COF. They challenge other surgical colleagues and groups to follow their lead with similar multi-year support of the COF.
• Award a total of six CORL research grants. The CORL program provides seed funding and helps to ensure Canada’s world-class status in orthopaedic research. • Present two special research awards for the first time since 2007. The Robert B. Salter award recognizes outstanding new basic research; and the Carroll A. Laurin award recognizes outstanding new clinical research. • Increase the value of the prestigious J. Édouard Samson Award, underscoring the significance of this award, presented to a seasoned investigator for a body of research over a five year period. Details of the award recipients appear on page 49 of this issue of the Bulletin. As well, we are able to introduce a new community and innovation awards program, with the first grants to be awarded in fall 2017. Powering Pain Free Movement donors enabled the growth of the COF research program, kicked off by a transformational donation by Zimmer Biomet as a Benefactor donor at the top level of the program. In announcing the company’s commitment, Zimmer Biomet Canada’s Vice President and General Manager, Dave O’Neil said, “We are pleased to be a partner in the Powering Pain Free Movement campaign. We fully support the concept of Canadians being leaders in global orthopaedic research, and are thrilled to work with the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation to achieve that goal.” DePuy Synthes joined the campaign as a Champion partner. Jeff Deane, Medical Initiatives Director of DePuy Synthes, said, “Let me express our pleasure in being able to support such an important initiative through the COF, in recognition of leading individuals involved COA Bulletin ACO - Spring / Printemps 2017
In addition to growing the research program, Powering Pain Free Movement aims to ensure funding is available to support the COF’s much-needed programs in education and patient care, and to ensure the overall health and stability of the Foundation. This year, we welcomed three additional Powering Pain Free Movement partners:
COF Patron, Dr. Marvin Tile is pleased with the progress of the Powering Pain Free Movement campaign to date. He says, “In the first year, we have made remarkable progress towards achieving our goals. With the support of industry leaders and surgeons as campaign partners, we have been able to register significant growth in research funding. We know that Canadian surgeons have much to contribute in the global orthopaedic research arena, and our funding partners have Dr. Marvin Tile, enabled the COF to support those COF Patron Canadian researchers. At the same time, they are helping to ensure that we’re able to provide educational resources and care for thousands of orthopaedic patients. Most importantly, Powering Pain Free Movement partners are contributing to a vibrant, world-class Foundation.” The first year of the campaign has lived up to its promises. We look forward to continuing growth in the next year.
Dave O’Neil, Vice President and General Manager, Zimmer Biomet Canada
To learn more about the Powering Pain Free Movement program and its partners, visit http://whenithurtstomove.org/donors/