Philanthropy plays a key role in accelerating discoveries that is leading to earlier arthritis diagnosis and new treatments. Schroeder Arthritis Institute scientists and clinicians work side by side to determine origins, progression and prevention of arthritis and its relationship with other disease such as depression and cardiovascular disease. Philanthropy plays a crucial role in supporting all arthritis investigators with high-throughput data facilities to maximize the potential for biomarker and therapeutic target discovery. While Schroeder Arthritis Institute scientists are very successful in securing peer-reviewed grants and industry support, philanthropy is key to the retention and recruitment of world-leading scientists which is not covered in peer-reviewed grants.

Goals:
1. To develop blood tests to diagnose early stages of arthritis
2. To develop new treatments that are focused on stopping the progression of arthritis

The focus of this fundraising priority is to develop digital tools that support data sharing and specialized research expertise in bioinformatics, computational machine learning and biological database management. Philanthropy is key to recruit additional data scientists who will help accelerate precision treatment plans for each patients.

Goal:
The goal is to develop predictive tools for the most effective treatment strategies for patients based on their genetic and biometric profile. Artificial intelligence and advanced bioinformatics are used to identify biomarkers and predictive algorithms to predict how patients will respond to treatment.

IMAGINE:

• Securing an appointment with an arthritis specialist in the privacy of your own home with days of referral.
• Undergoing a treatment plan designed specifically for you.
• IMAGINE in six months’ time having no or manageable pain and better mobility.

Philanthropy plays a crucial role in pioneering important changes alongside industry partners and the Ontario Ministry of Health to transform care for people living with arthritis.

Using a patient-centred approach, our experts focus on treating the bone, joint and spine problems that cause pain and limit function for thousands of people each year.​ The Division of Orthopedics provides comprehensive surgical care of all joints and is a pioneer of innovative models of care.

The Division of Rheumatology is the site of the largest rheumatology training program in North America and is internationally renowned for its specialized clinics. It provides multidisciplinary management of systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjogren’s syndrome, scleroderma, and early autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Its vision is global leadership in early diagnosis, innovative treatment and prevention of autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

The Hand Program bases their program on a care model that is highly collaborative with a multidisciplinary team of hand surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and orthopedic technicians to treat patients with arthritis, nerve injuries, trauma and work-related injuries. As the only such program in Toronto, and one of two such resources in Ontario, people come from all over the province to receive specialized care at UHN’s Hand Program.

The Osteoporosis Clinic & Research Program offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and expert care services to patients with osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases, with a focus on fracture risk reduction and quality of life improvement. It has had many firsts translating cutting-edge research to clinical care.