Each year, over 1,000 Canadians suffer a spinal cord injury and unwittingly join the more than 40,000 paralyzed Canadians who live with one of the most physically and psychologically devastating injuries known to humanity. In addition, up to 80 per cent of the adult population experiences a disabling episode of back or neck pain in the course of their lifetime that leads to a need for specialty spine care. Spine-related issues, diseases and conditions that result in the need for care also include degenerative disc disorders, spinal infection, arthritis, spine-related cancers and deformity.

The VGH Spine Program – a world leader in spinal cord injury treatment and research – is one of the busiest in Canada. The skilled and world-renowned specialists who make up the VGH Spine Program work hard to ensure their patients receive the most up-to-date, innovative, specialized care available, and to achieve excellence in spine-related research, which ultimately leads to excellence in patient care.

Donor funding is needed to ensure our talented spine specialists and researchers have the equipment, programs and research funds available to provide the best care possible to British Columbians needing their expertise.