As the end of fiscal year 2014 approaches, the efforts to recruit and train rheumatology professionals and provide patients with the latest treatment and care are progressing very well. Three years into its five-year campaign, the Rheumatology Research Foundation’s Journey to Cure: The Campaign to Advance Patient Care and Accelerate Discoveries is well ahead of schedule, thanks to generous contributions from members of the rheumatology community, Corporate Roundtable donors and people affected by rheumatic diseases. However, the momentum must continue to reach the Foundation’s final goal.
Launched in 2011, the goal of the Journey to Cure campaign is to raise $60 million, which will be directly invested in the Foundation’s extensive awards and grants program. Through its awards and grants offerings, the Foundation is laying the path for more highly qualified doctors and health professionals to join the field of rheumatology. The Foundation offers a number of awards that provide necessary support during integral stages of education, training and career development for individuals who want to provide quality care to patients and conduct novel research that will advance treatments. The Foundation also funds innovative research projects aimed at producing new developments that will improve the health of people affected by rheumatic disease.
As reported to the Foundation’s Board of Directors in April, the Foundation has raised $46.9 million for the Journey to Cure campaign, 78% of the goal.
“The Journey to Cure campaign has been quite a success so far,” says David Karp, MD, PhD, president of the Foundation. “It is clear that the Foundation’s efforts to attract the brightest minds to rheumatology, support their education and training, and fund novel and innovative research are receiving major support from across the board.”
The campaign is advancing quickly, in part, because of broad-based support from the rheumatology community, including members of the ACR and the ARHP. Doctors and health professionals from the bench to the bedside are helping the Foundation expand its support for the development of high-quality professionals and better treatments.
“Donations by rheumatologists demonstrate the commitment of the field to advancing the science in our field,” says V. Michael Holers, MD, a strong supporter of the Foundation and award recipient. “I have seen the results and strongly believe the foundation has the right focus on innovative research that can make a huge difference going forward for patients with arthritis.”