September 15, 2013
Fall is always a time of renewal for me. Blame it on my “getting back to school” days I suppose, but for me September is the beginning of a new year.
At the Huntington Society of Canada we truly have many new things to celebrate. Our new website launched in November. We are excited about our new format and welcome your feedback.
At our AGM on November 2 we welcomed six new Board members and said good-bye to Board members whose terms were complete. We are incredibly fortunate to have the commitment and skills of the Board members to guide our policy decisions and strategy. We could never achieve what we do without the sage advice and guidance of our very committed volunteer leaders at the Board level.
Laying a strong foundation for clinical trials is a strategic focus of HSC. In September we brought several scientists and clinicians focusing on HD research, together to share, mentor and help us create sustainable mechanisms to continue an ongoing clinical trials discussion in Canada.
In September we also rolled out our first Youth Mentorship training program. Young people mentoring young people with oversight from our incredible team of Social Workers. Youth mentorship and the clinical trials initiative are leading edge initiatives.
We have made very positive progress towards our quest to end genetic discrimination in Canada. Ending genetic discrimination was identified as a priority in the recent Speech to the Throne, Bill S 201 was introduced into the Senate by Senator James Cowan, and early in November, Bill 127 was introduced by MPP Mike Cole in Ontario. These comprehensive genetic non-discrimination bills are major steps towards a genetic fair Canada. Now we need you to support these Bills by writing your Senators, MPs and MPPs to let them know this is important to you.
Now you know why September is a time of new beginnings for me. Thank you to all of you for your ongoing support and commitment to help us be the best than we can be.