Through partnerships with organizations such as the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), and the University of British Columbia (UBC), and the Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and UBC Hospital Foundations, RHF is making strides every day toward the goal of accelerating research, elevating care, and improving lives.
Our partnership with UBC and VCH includes funding for the Dr. Marcel Dvorak Chair in Spine Trauma supported by the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation. We provide Dr. Brian Kwon, Dvorak Chair, the means to advance important discoveries that will improve the care and treatment of people living with SCI.
Our partnership with ICORD includes funding for the following key priorities:
1. Translational Research
This branch of medical research aims to connect patient care more directly by turning research studies into new treatments and using approaches that tackle the most pressing needs of people with SCI. It takes 17 years on average for health-related scientific discoveries to go from research lab into clinical practice. Our goal is to expedite this process.
2. Network Development
These funds provide new opportunities for collaboration and partnerships through international exchange, meetings, and sharing of information.
3. Supporting the Best and the Brightest
People are one of the most valuable resources in discovering effective treatments for SCI. This strategy assists with the recruitment, development, and retention of up-and-coming researchers. This includes funding seed grant projects through ICORD. Many of those researchers RHF has supported have gone on to significant recognition in the field of SCI.
4. Consumer Engagement
Consumer engagement helps develop resources for people with SCI, their families, and supporters. It also helps recruit people with SCI to participate in research.
2021-23 Strategic Plan: Investing in Transformation
An accessible and inclusive country for people of all abilities positively impacts every family, every workplace, every community and every Canadian. Read our full 2021-23 Strategic Plan for more on how we can get there, together.