2015 has been a busy year for RHI’s Cure and Care programs, both led by active and engaged program advisory committees. Dr. Brian Kwon has accepted a second term as Chair of the Cure Advisory Committee and Dr. Catharine Craven has begun her first term as Chair of the Care Advisory Committee. 

Here are some highlights from each program. For more detailed information about all program activities, please refer to RHI’s Annual Report for fiscal years 2014-2015.

Are you looking for a trustworthy site on clinical trials for people interested in learning more or who you think should learn more? A new website (www.itstartswithme.ca) has been developed by patients and caregivers who have participated in a clinical trial, or have had a loved one participate in a clinical trial, and by people who work in clinical trials and research. The website provides an overview of clinical trials, including things to think about or ask before deciding to participate, participant rights, and a glossary of terms.

Dr. Vanessa Noonan is a member of the International SCI Data Set Committee, an initiative of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) , which oversees the development of the International SCI Data Set Project. One of the project's international subcommittees has recently developed the "International SCI Bowel Basic Data Set (Version 2.0)" and is available for review and feedback from individuals, societies and organisations with an interest in spinal cord injury.

The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF) and Rick Hansen Institute (RHI) are launching a new funding opportunity to support modest and focused projects related to the development of emerging interventions and innovative technologies with direct application to spinal cord injury (SCI). Projects eligable for funding under this category must directly address the relevant areas of focus described below:

Members of RHI's network were part of a National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering National Institutes of Health focused on assessing the needs of people with spinal cord injury and the use of epidural spinal cord stimulation for improving function.

The consortium is  seeking feedback from the SCI research community. Please send your comments by September 30, 2015 to . To view the report, visit www.nibib.nih.gov/2015-nibib-consortium-report.