History In the Making

In 2007 People with Neuropathic Pain, the patient group of ACTION Ontario was born.

In November 2008 ACTION Ontario hosted its first Neuropathic Pain Symposium titled Neuropathic Pain: One Face, Many Causes.

In November 2009 ACTION Ontario hosted its second Neuropathic Pain Symposium titled Towards an Ontario Pain Strategy.

In November 2010, ACTION Ontario hosted its first Chronic Pain Awareness Day at the provincial legislature, as well as its third symposium titled Patient Input for System Change.

At the same time, the Canadian Pain Society has embarked in a national campaign to drive forward the need for the Federal Government to embark on a comprehensive pain strategy at the national level, while the scientific pain community works relentlessly to convince research funding organizations to support a National Centre of Excellence in Pain, a long overdue overarching system to improve research and delivery of pain care in Canada.

In my mind, the pain community “has come a long way”. For those who attended ACTION Ontario’s Queen’s Park day and our third annual symposium, the ability to even come together, share the experience and make our voices heard is a reason to celebrate not only past victories, but present hopes and future accomplishments. Our goal is common: the formation of a Comprehensive Pain Strategy for the Province of Ontario. We in Ontario try to walk on the steps of other provinces that have managed to do so already (Alberta, Quebec and Nova Scotia). Hopefully one day, our work in ACTION Ontario and the work of so many others across the country, will make sure that “pain care exists for all Canadians”.

Angela Mailis Gagnon, MD, MSc, FRCPC(PhysMed)
Director, Comprehensive Pain Program,
Senior Investigator, Krembil Neuroscience Centre
Toronto Western Hospital,
www.drangelamailis.com
Chair ACTION Ontario www.actionontario.ca

Keywords: pain