/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - Developing a strategy to address chronic
pain in Ontario - Patients, clinicians and researchers meet during National
Pain Awareness Week to tackle this debilitating problem/

TORONTO , Nov. 2 /CNW/ - Chronic pain is an escalating health problem affecting 20-30% of Canadians. It has been estimated that chronic pain costs the Canadian economy approximately $6 billion a year. Neuropathic pain is a particularly debilitating form of chronic pain that can rob people of their quality of life and the ability to sleep, work and undertake daily activities. Neuropathic pain has many causes, including multiple sclerosis, diabetes, AIDS, cancer and spinal cord and nerve injuries. More than one million Ontarians suffer with neuropathic pain and the problem is compounded as they often have difficulty receiving proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

ACTION Ontario, a non-profit organization comprised of doctors, other health-care professionals, researchers and patients, is bringing people together to create awareness about the cost of chronic pain and to develop possible solutions to help address this debilitating problem.

    
    What:  Towards an Ontario Strategy, A symposium on neuropathic pain

    Where: MaRS Centre Auditorium
           101 College Street, Toronto

    When:  Tuesday, November 3, 1:00-4:30 p.m.

    Advance media availability: Dr. Angela Mailis-Gagnon, founder and
    director of the Comprehensive Pain Program at Toronto Western Hospital,
    and patients are available for advance media interviews on November 2 and
    the morning of November 3.
    

For further information: Nadia Daniell-Colarossi, Krembil Neuroscience Centre, UHN, [phone], [email protected]; Laura Greer, Hill & Knowlton Canada, [phone], [email protected]