Ontario Spondylitis Association

In October of 1984, physicians in Toronto invited their ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients to attend a public forum on current research and new developments in the treatment for the various forms of spondylitis. Dr. Hugh Little, Rheumatologist at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto and Russ Morrison, Executive Vice President from The Arthritis Society, Ontario Division, were instrumental in organizing this forum to see if there was sufficient interest amongst the patients to form a spondylitis association in Ontario. Similar groups have been successfully formed in Europe and they felt that a similar group was needed in Canada. A small group volunteered to join a steering committee and on May 1, 1985 the Ontario Spondylitis Association was formed at its first general meeting.

Over the last 20 years the OSA has provided support for its members through public forums, educational materials, support groups and quarterly newsletters while raising over $100,000 for AS research. Dedicated volunteers, including medical and physiotherapy advisors, working under the support and auspices of The Arthritis Society, Ontario Division have been instrumental in keeping the Association active for this past 20 years.

To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, the OSA and The Arthritis Society, Ontario Division, planned a series of special forums in Ontario communities (Cambridge, Ottawa, Peterborough and Toronto). Our aim continues to reach out to AS patients and their families to provide an opportunity for education and discussion on living with AS and related diseases. Please visit our What's Happening and Events sections for updates on public forums and events being held by OSA this year.

Membership 1. Jan. 2006: 298 paying members, including 206 AS sufferers

For further information about the OSA, please contact us at mailto:info@spondylitis.caor by calling 1.800.321.1433.