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Season’s greetings and happy holidays!
2023 has been a year of great strides for DMRF Canada thanks to our dedicated volunteers, donors, and partners. With our dedicated full-time staff of just two, and an active and engaged community, we overcame challenges and achieved new heights. We want to express our endless gratitude to everyone who contributed towards our success in 2023, whether as supporters of DMRF Canada’s activities or as active participants. At every level, your support is the fuel for our engine. As we move into a new year, we carry with us the assurance that our community is stronger, more hopeful, and more determined than ever. We have many exciting initiatives planned to maintain that momentum, including innovative research projects and revamped support programs. On behalf of the DMRF Canada staff and board of directors, thank you for your continued support of our mission! Together, we are dystonia strong. |
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Contents
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Looking Back at 2023
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Looking Forward to 2024
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September 30th was a wonderful day of dystonia wellness, education and community connection. Thanks to neurologist Dr. Anish Kanungo and physiotherapist Sally-Anne Stelling for their excellent presentations, to AbbVie Canada for their generous sponsorship, and to group leaders Luisa Hudniuk & Robin Krantz for their terrific efforts bringing this event together. |
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DMRF Canada was happy to support and participate in a gathering of Canadian movement disorder specialists, neurologists, scientists and other health professionals. These experts came together to exchange ideas and discuss challenges across movement disorders. A big thanks to Parkinson Canada and the Canadian Movement Disorders Society for organizing this important meeting. |
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We’ve been hard at work creating a more accessible website with improved functionality and new resources! Be sure to explore the new additions:
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We’ve added another way for you or someone you know to help raise funds for dystonia! Find out more about Tiltify and other ways you can help us. |
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Submissions are now open, accepting letters of intent until April 30, 2024. The Jackson Mooney Patient Education Grant was established to provide financial assistance of up to $5,000.00 for Canadian residents who are living with dystonia, in financial need, and committed to enhancing their current situation by furthering their education. Click here to download a letter of intent template and read more about the application process and requirements. |
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The Government of Canada is gathering feedback from persons with disabilities from a range of backgrounds to help shape regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit. Take part in this online engagement, which is also available in ASL and LSQ, before December 21, 2023. You can provide feedback by mail, video, or phone. |
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Researchers at the University of Manitoba invite you to participate in a study on the experience of caregivers of children with rare genetic diseases. The goal of this study is to understand the experiences, needs, and preferences of parents/caregivers of children with rare genetic diseases when speaking to genetics professionals during the diagnostic journey.
Visit here to learn more about this study and your eligibility to participate. This study closes on January 31, 2024. This study has been approved by the Bannatyne Health Research Board: HS26049
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The dystonia community’s generosity helped fund incredible things in 2023, including more expansive virtual and in-person patient supports and multiple cutting-edge research projects. Find details about what you made possible in 2023 here. Want to help our work continue in 2024? Please consider donating to keep our momentum in the new year! Donate by December 31 to receive your 2023 charitable tax receipt. |
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Community Support & Education To serve the changing needs of the dystonia community in a post-pandemic world, we launched our new Community Support & Education Program. Find details about what to look forward to with the program here. Winnipeg Support Group Hybrid Meeting – January 21, 2024
National Virtual Support Meeting – January 28, 2024 Winnipeg Support Group Hybrid Meeting – February 18, 2024 Save the Date - Webinar with a Dystonia Expert – March 16, 2024 – 1 pm EST Find a full listing of currently scheduled meetings on our event page. Watch for future newsletters and announcements from DMRF Canada – we’ve got many more meetings and events in the works! Stay up to date with our news and activities on social media. Follow, like, and share our posts to amplify dystonia awareness! |
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We will remain closed from December 23, 2023 to January 1, 2024. During this time, we will respond to urgent matters only. Please email info@dystoniacanada.org or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-361-8061. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season! |
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Please visit our website at https://dystoniacanada.org
Donate to our cause at https://dystoniacanada.org/donateonline
Our NEW mailing address is:
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation Canada
PO Box 1009 Stn Toronto Dom
Toronto ON M5K 1P2 Canada |
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