Remembering Pat Carney
The Board of Directors and all the staff of Arthritis Research Canada wish to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Honourable Pat Carney who died at home on July 25th. We are heartened that on August 26th the day she was laid to rest, Senator Carney was honoured with all flags flown at half-mast on the Peace Tower in Ottawa as well as all Government of Canada buildings, the BC Parliament, and all establishments on Saturna Island.
Pat was a fierce advocate for arthritis and an unwavering champion of Arthritis Research Canada. As a founding and formidable member of our Board of Directors from 1999-2007 and the first donor to Arthritis Research Canada, Pat Carney played a central role in establishing our organization, supported the creation of an advisory board of persons with arthritis to drive relevant research, and stated that Arthritis Research Canada’s job was to focus on “practical research to improve everyday living”. After leaving the board, she continued to give feedback on our research, support staff, and fight for Arthritis Research Canada. She did everything in her power to ensure research continued to find answers and help people living with this disease.
Pat’s advocacy for people with arthritis included a keynote address at the 2005 National Summit on Standards for Arthritis Prevention and Care, where she expressed the power of a united group to effect change in a complex world.
“Pat was an incredible and very special person. As those of us in so many different arenas learned, if Pat was on your side you were going to win,” says Dr. John Esdaile, Arthritis Research Canada Scientific Director Emeritus.” You often see people referred to as a great Canadian, Pat really was one.”
Thank you, Pat, for your commitment to advancing life-changing arthritis research. May you rest in peace.
