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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder | Factsheet |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder | Factsheet |
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PREMIER OPENS
WORLD-LEADING SPINAL CORD INJURY CENTRE |
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“The Blusson Spinal Cord Centre goes beyond any other facility in the world in bringing spinal cord patients together with outstanding researchers and health-care professionals,” said Premier Campbell. “This fully accessible building will be the most fertile ground anywhere on the planet for the discovery of breakthroughs to help people fully adapt to their injuries. Through this facility, we are providing the tools to improve the lives of thousands of British Columbians and people around the world – and bring us closer to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries.”
The six-storey, $45-million centre is home to ICORD, which stands for
International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries and is a partnership of the
“Most of what we know about spinal cord injuries has been discovered over the past decade, and the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre will accelerate the pace of those discoveries,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development, who is responsible for research and innovation. “Government’s $12.9-million investment in the centre builds on the $17.25 million we’ve already invested in the past six years to benefit people with spinal cord injuries, and is one of many reasons B.C. is known for world-leading research and innovation.”
The Blusson Spinal Cord Centre is fully accessible, with no need to display the wheelchair disability sign, and integrates research with care. The centre is home to the Brenda and David McLean Integrated Spine Clinic, which provides one-stop outpatient care for people with spinal cord injuries or diseases of the spine. Rick Hansen Foundation programs including the Spinal Cord Injuries Solutions Network and the Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion and Ambassador programs are also located in the centre.
“The realization of this dream will have an extraordinary impact on the community of people living with spinal cord injury across this country today, and those who will be injured in the future,” said Rick Hansen, president and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. “The community of experts, who make up this entire building, will work together to find solutions that improve lives today and move us closer to a cure. I’d particularly like to thank Dr. Stewart and Marilyn Blusson for their contribution, and all the partners who believe in the power of collaboration and partnership to make a difference in the lives of others.”
The Province’s contribution comes
from the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund. Other funding was provided by the
Canada Foundation for Innovation, the
“Most
patients with spinal cord injuries in British Columbia enter the
health-care system at VGH, so it is vital that researchers and caregivers have
an environment where they can work together to optimize recovery,” said Ida
Goodreau, Vancouver Coastal Health’s president and CEO. “This wonderful new
centre will influence the care
of our patients even before they land on the helipad, and will allow them to
return to their communities having experienced a more dramatic recovery than
otherwise possible.”
“Interdisciplinary collaboration is one of the exciting features the new Blusson Spinal Cord Centre offers to attract and retain outstanding researchers from around the world,” said UBC president Stephen Toope. “UBC is proud to be a partner in spinal cord injury research. This new world-class centre also provides a unique opportunity to train the next generation of spinal cord researchers.”
The Province has previously contributed $17.25 million to spinal cord injury research and quality of life – $2.25 million to the B.C. Leadership Chair in Spinal Cord Research at the Rick Hansen Institute at UBC and $15 million to the Rick Hansen Foundation in support of its ongoing work to help improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.
“The Blusson Spinal Cord Centre project was the catalyst that enabled ICORD to rapidly evolve and expand to be the world’s largest and most comprehensive spinal research centre,” said Dr. John Steeves, founding director of ICORD and holder of the John and Penny Ryan B.C. Leadership Chair in Spinal Cord Research. “Within the past five years, this increased capacity has generated increased knowledge and patents, which have been translated into improved clinical practices and products.”
Almost $345
million has been approved by the Province under the B.C. Knowledge Development
Fund since 2001, supporting research at public post-secondary institutions,
teaching hospitals and affiliated non-profit agencies. This funding has leveraged
$379 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and another $283 million
from other non-provincial government sources, for a total investment in
“The
Blusson Spinal Cord Centre is an impressive example of the type of partnership
that is essential to ensure
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1 backgrounder(s) attached. 1 factsheet(s)
attached.
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contact: |
Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177
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Communications Director Ministry of Technology, Trade and Economic Development 250 952-0152 250 413-7316 cell
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Regional Communications Leader Vancouver Coastal Health/Research Institute 604 875-4111 Ext. 61777 604 319-7533 cell
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Communications Rick Hansen Foundation 778 296-1521 604 345-3034
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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