Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

The Canadian Rare Disease Network (CRDN) - Réseau Canadien des Maladies Rares - has emerged as a strategic pan-Canadian, cross-disciplinary network uniting the country's leading clinical, scientific, and patient expertise to improve the lives of over three million children and adults affected by rare diseases (RD) in Canada. Its comprehensive research-to-care framework bridges research, diagnosis, treatment, care, psychosocial support, and other essential aspects of holistic care to enhance collective impact. The proposed Canadian Rare Disease Innovation Showcase ("the Showcase") will highlight advancements in RD research and care, featuring rapid-fire talks on cutting-edge developments and their potential to improve patient outcomes. The Showcase will also serve as a platform for networking and partnership building among patients, families, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices. It is also expected to raise awareness among policymakers about the latest advancements and opportunities, ultimately leading to more informed and supportive health policies, beyond the current focus on RD drugs. Emphasizing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA), the Showcase will ensure diverse representation among speakers and participants and bilingual accessibility, wherever possible, to engage the Francophone community. Given the current momentum in the RD space in Canada given the National Strategy for Drugs for RD, and increasing public interest, we anticipate a substantial interest from the RD community, with an expected attendance of 80-100 in-person participants in Ottawa and about 200 virtual attendees nationwide. This event will foster a more unified and collaborative RD community, improving knowledge exchange, facilitating connections, and informing health policy to better address RD challenges in Canada.