On May 7, Nipissing University announced a transformational $5M investment to support the continued development and national expansion of Rare Dementia Support Canada (RDS Canada). This gift will support the expansion of dementia research, support services, and education, as well as help establish a dedicated space to house RDS Canada - a centre committed to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by rare and young-onset dementias.
Established in 2021 with an initial $400,000 gift from The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation, RDS Canada was built on the foundation of a multi-component support model developed by Dr. Mary Pat Sullivan, Principal Lead of RDS Canada and Professor of Social Work at Nipissing University. Her work, shaped through a five-year Rare Dementia Support Impact Study in collaboration with Rare Dementia Support UK, has already strengthened national support systems and connected individuals across the country through the creation of online communities of support.
(left to right): Andrea Parolin, Senior Development Officer, Renée Hacquard, Vice-President, Finance & Administration, Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President & Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mary Pat Sullivan, Principal Lead of RDS Canada, Amy Buskirk, Executive Director of HGWF, Teenu Sanjeevan, Program Director, Neuroscience of HGWF, Dr. Barbi Law, Associate Vice-President, Research, Innovation, & Graduate Studies, Steven Smits, Manager, Alumni & Advancement
"Community-based research and care are essential to our health-care system. When supports are informed by research and rooted in lived experience, we create opportunities for shared understanding, connection, and hope," said Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University. "Through the generosity of The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation and driven by Dr. Sullivan's leading research in the field, the RDS Canada team is empowered to continue to lead with purpose and compassion, ensuring that those living with rare dementias have access to leading edge, meaningful, and evidence-informed support."
As RDS Canada enters a pivotal five-year growth phase, this new investment from The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation will help fuel RDS Canada's vision to advance research that transforms understanding and care for those living with dementias, empower individuals and families through personalized support and community learning, and foster global connections and national partnerships to shape the future of rare dementia support.
The $5 million donation will help:
- Establish a dedicated national centre to house RDS Canada
- Enhance capacity to deliver personalized care through the expansion of the current team, including the hiring of an Administrative Director
- Develop immersive support environments using cutting-edge technology
- Increase support capacity among healthcare practitioners
- Build and strengthen national and international research and education partnerships
"This generous gift enables RDS Canada to continue to push the boundaries of dementia research and support in Canada - expanding access to information and services, deepening our work with individuals and families affected by dementias, and fostering new approaches to address the unique challenges of rare dementia," said Dr. Sullivan. "Our community-university partnership model emphasizes the importance of collaboration, and the vital connection between support delivery, research, knowledge sharing, and education. By providing a specialized support community and tailored services for individuals and families with differing support needs, RDS Canada aims to fill a unique gap in dementia support nationwide."
To learn more about RDS Canada, visit: raredementiasupport.ca
