Bridging the Gap: Moving gene research from bench to bedside Please join Dalhousie's IGNITE team and Genome Atlantic for a CME-accredited session on translation of gene research for improved patient care. When: June 6, 2012 8:30am-12pm  Where:Life Sciences Research Institute Halifax, NS Please Click Here for Event Summary and RSVP details
	Brave Awards Do you know a caregiver who performs in extraordinary ways? Who gives their time, support and compassion regularly through caring for someone else in a meaningful, selfless manner? If yes, they could win $10,000 from Shire, please nominate them for this award! »Click here for nomination information
	Arctic Quest 2011 The Arctic Quest was a huge success! To read the post trip press release follow the link below » Read more Photos of the Arctic Quest can be found on our Facebook page » CORD's Facebook page Watch the Arctic Quest Video trailer
	Letters of Support CORD is excited to announce that we have received a letter of support from Prime Minister Stephen Harper. » Read here CORD is also excited to announce a letter of support from Minister of Health, Leona Aqlukkaq. » Read here
	CORD Global Genes Research Fund At the 3rd Annual Conference, the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders launched the CORD Global Genes Research Fund. Individuals, patient organizations, and corporations were invited to host "jeans days" to raise funds for the Canadian Institute for Health Research first research competition for rare diseases. » Read more » www.corddonate.ca To become a part of the CORD Global Genes Research Fund Project, please contact CORD for more information.

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CORD Members,

International Rare Disease Day 2012 is fast approaching, and CORD will be very active in Ottawa and across the country!

We are SO CLOSE to achieving a Health Canada regulatory definition and framework, and we need your help to make it happen.

Please see attached draft letters that make this pitch - we encourage you to send this to all of your members, family and friends, with the hope that they will contact their elected official AND the Prime Minister / Health Minister directly.

To access the email and mailing address for your member of parliament, please visit: http://www.parl.gc.ca/ - where you can "Find an MP by postal code."  Remember printing out and mailing a letter to a member of parliament does not require any postage - it is free.

If you want to send a similar message to your provincial Health Minister or member of provincial legislature, please do so as well by consulting the main provincial government website (see hyperlinks below).

Two final requests:
1. Please confirm that you are going to help us get this message out - we want to know if you will be actively participating in this writing campaign.

2. Please report back any replies that you get from these letters - scan or fax them back to CORD - so that we can see how we're doing, and adjust our campaign, accordingly!

CORD will continue to be very active in person and on the hill but our elected officials need to hear directly from our members across Canada as soon as possible!

Let me know if you have any questions, and thank you so much for your support in this effort.

Yours very truly,
Durhane Wong-Rieger
President, CORD

Please click on any of the blue links below

Advocacy Letter to PM & HM Template
Advocacy Letter to the Parliamentarians
Advocacy Letter to the PM Template (FRENCH)
Advocacy Letter to the MP Template (FRENCH)

Links to Provincial Websites:
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island

International Alliance of Patients' Organizations
CORD encourages all patient groups to join IAPO. The new IAPO Membership Guide can be found below » Read more

On-line Support Group Model
Alpha-1 Canada has been developing an On-Line Support Group Model for patients who cannot meet regularly in person.
Online Support Group Leader Manual and Resource Guide
For more info contact: Jim Mundy.

Liberal Party of Canada's response to three questions from CORD  [English] [French]

EURODIS Newsletter
EURORDIS is a non-governmental patient-driven alliance of patient organisations representing more than 434 rare diseases patient organisations in over 43 countries.
» Sign up for Newsletter

Global Genes Project is to raise awareness for millions of children living with rare disease. This campaign brings together support from over 90 corporations, non-profits, research institutions, hospitals & advocacy groups. » Read more

Join us on Facebook Visit CORD's FACEBOOK fan page! Keep up-to-date on upcoming events & news. Meet friends, share stories, find support, and build a network. » More info