A study recently published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases shows promise for potential new therapies to prevent bone loss and bone destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Our Commitment to Research
The ACR has a wide range of programs to support investigations in rheumatology
REF Investigators’ Meeting Brings Researchers Together to Search for RA Cure
REF Investigators’ Meeting brings researchers together to search for RA cure
The Basic Science of the Annual Scientific Meeting
The ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting is the premier event for specialists in the field of rheumatology. At this year’s meeting, basic researchers will have multiple opportunities to increase their knowledge, and there will be something for every interest.
Within Our Reach: Collaborating to Find a Cure for RA
Research is critically important to find cures and accelerate patient care for the millions who suffer from arthritis and rheumatic disease. Despite its prevalence in the population and recent treatment advances, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains an incurable disease and receives disproportionately less research funding from federal sources than most other autoimmune diseases. This is precisely why the ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) launched Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis to directly invest in the types of innovative research not being done elsewhere in the country.
REF President: Annual Giving Is the Foundation of Our Core Awards
Annual giving is a fundraising component of the ACR Research and Education Foundation’s (REF’s) comprehensive development plan—the other main sources being the Industry Roundtable and planned giving, otherwise known as The Legacy Society. What has always struck me about annual giving is the munificence of our donors. When it comes to annual giving, most donors are ACR members whose spirit of generosity makes it possible for the REF to fulfill its mission of advancing research and training to improve the health of people with rheumatic diseases.
Major Grant Funding for Collaborative RA Projects
In the last three years, the ACR REF has raised more than $26 million toward the $30-million goal for the Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) campaign. Even in the worst economy this country has seen since the Great Depression, in fiscal year 2009, contributions to the Within Our Reach campaign exceeded $6.1 million. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, more than $1.1 million has already been received.
Without You, ACR REF Wouldn’t Be Here
In 1998, the ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) funded a total of $500,000 in grants. This year, the REF funded more than $4.6 million in grants through its core portfolio, which is an increase of over $4 million in funding capabilities in just 10 years. The REF also achieved the distinction of becoming the second largest funding source—just behind the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—of rheumatology research and training programs in the United States and was recently awarded the prestigious four-star rating from Charity Navigator. These achievements could not have been realized without the generous financial support of REF donors.
Building on Accomplishments
As I assume the presidency of the REF, I reflect on the accomplishments of the organization over the past two years, and I wish to thank my immediate predecessor, Leslie J. Crofford, MD, for her tremendous leadership. The achievements of the REF during her term have been truly impressive.
Within Our Reach–Funded Research May Hold Key to Unlocking the CNS and Suppressing RA
Studies recently published in Arthritis & Rheumatism show that a key chemical produced by the central nervous system (CNS) decreases inflammation and suppresses production of proteins known to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This opens the way for developing a novel class of drugs that mimic this effect of the CNS on RA.