Students overcome health challenges to achieve post-secondary education
16 students from across
These are just three examples of how Canadian students living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn's disease went above and beyond the boundaries of their chronic illness to be awarded one of 16 UCBeyond Scholarships, valued at up to
"Living with rheumatoid arthritis will be a life-long challenge, but it has never stopped me from continuing my education," says Nirupa Varatharasan, 23, from
Scholarship recipients were chosen by an independent selection committee of leading physicians, nurses and patient representatives from across
"On behalf of all members of both selection committees, I would like to extend sincere congratulations to the 16 UCBeyond Scholarship recipients," says
"We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2009 UCBeyond Scholarship Programs and wish to thank the hundreds of students who shared their stories of courage and strength," says Anne de Cassini, General Manager of UCB
Partners of the UCBeyond Scholarship Program included The Arthritis Society, Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA), Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) and JointHealth(TM), Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA), Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCFC) and Canadian Association of Gastroenterologists (CAG).
About Scholarship Recipients
In total, 16 scholarship recipients were chosen from close to 300 applicants from across
2009 UCBeyond Rheumatoid Arthritis Scholarship Recipients --------------------------------------------------------- 1. Chelsea Code-McNeil (Dartmouth, NS; Dalhousie University) 2. Emma Secord (Fredericton, NB; St. Thomas University) 3. Irene Chu (Montreal, QC; McGill University) 4. Patricia Riddell (Waterdown, ON; University of Toronto) 5. Nirupa Varatharasan (Toronto, ON; Dalhousie University) 6. Emily Hicks (Calgary, AB; University of Calgary) 7. Michael Collins (Waterloo, ON; University of Waterloo) 8. Karine Perreault (Sherbrooke, QC; Université de Sherbrooke) 2009 UCBeyond Crohn's Disease Scholarship Recipients ---------------------------------------------------- 1. Kyle Steward (Oakville, ON; Brock University) 2. Greg Simmonds (Victoria, BC; Thompson Rivers University) 3. Andrea Dmytrash (Lamont, AB; University of Alberta) 4. Michelle Aubie (Bathurst, NB; St. Mary's University) 5. Allison Leadley (Vancouver, BC; University of British Columbia) 6. Natalie Wells (Corner Brook, NL; Memorial University) 7. Kevin Bourque (Lincoln, NB; University of New Brunswick) 8. David Coulombe (St-Marcellin, QC; l'universite du Quebec a Rimouski)
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is a progressive autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. It is estimated that five million people suffer from RA globally with 0.3 per cent to 1 per cent of the population in industrialized countries suffering from the disease. It is estimated that 320,000 (1 in 100) people suffer from RA in
Symptoms of RA may include joint stiffness, joint pain, inflammation of the affected areas and an associated reduction in mobility. These symptoms can be intermittent and vary in severity from patient to patient. In more severe cases RA can eventually lead to disability. RA patients are also at a higher risk of developing other conditions, in particular heart disease, stroke, infections, lung problems and osteoporosis.
About Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, progressive, destructive disorder that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, most commonly at the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and beginning of the large intestine (the colon). If not effectively treated, it results in the need for surgery. Crohn's disease has been estimated to affect as many as 170,000 Canadians. People with Crohn's can experience an ongoing cycle of flare-up and remission throughout their lives. Together with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
About UCB
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About UCB
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For further information: or to speak with a scholarship recipient please contact: Sean Webster, Director, Market Access and Government Relations, UCB Canada Inc, (905) 315-5065 ext. 5073, [email protected]
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