LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN: FIGHTING THE BURDEN OF CHRONIC PAIN IN THE WORKPLACE The business community unites to support the Quebec Chronic Pain Association Montreal, April 21, 2009 - The Quebec Chronic Pain Association launched its first corporate fundraising campaign for 2009-2011, titled “Living with Chronic Pain”. Under the presidency of Hélène V. Gagnon, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Communications and Corporate Responsibility, Bombardier Aerospace, the campaign's objective is to raise a total of $ 875,000 over the next 3 years. This initiative will provide the Association with the means and resources required to pursue its mission and educational programs so as to improve the quality of life of more than 1.5 million people in Quebec who live with chronic pain on a daily basis. Chronic pain remains to this day a major public health issue, affecting people of all ages. Among other impacts, chronic pain has a negative incidence on productivity levels and contributes to an increase in absenteeism in the workplace. As a result, chronic pain is a considerable socioeconomic burden for businesses, for the healthcare system and for society at large. The average annual work absence rate due to chronic pain is 9.3 days. This figure rises to 16 days for those reporting severe pain. Source : www.douleurchronique.org Today's announcement is also a call for generosity and corporate responsibility made by Hélène V. Gagnon to the Quebec business community: “We want to increase awareness of the impact of chronic pain in the workplace. In times of economic crisis, it is more important than ever to pursue our corporate responsibility objectives, especially in such a priority sector as healthcare,” according to Ms. Gagnon. “By supporting the Quebec Chronic Pain Association, businesses are contributing to a reduction of absenteeism, of healthcare expenses and, as a result, are helping to increase productivity. It is a sustainable investment - not only to benefit businesses - but society as a whole.” Ms. Gagnon also introduced the members of her fundraising committee, comprised of influent leaders from the business, communication and healthcare sectors, in the presence of Mr. Jacques Laliberté, President of the Quebec Chronic Pain Association. The committee members for the 2009-2011 campaign are: Mr. Richard Bélanger, Richard Bélanger and Associates, Mr. Luc J. Couture, Tecsult-Aecom, Mr. Ghislain Dufour, NATIONAL Public Relations, Ms. Manon Gauthier, Cohn & Wolfe, Mr. Jean-François Hébert, Évolution Pharma, Mr. Jacques Laplante, Wal Immobilier, Mr. Jocelyn Leclerc, SECOR Consulting, Mr. Andrew Molson, RES PUBLICA Consulting Group, Mr. Serge Paquette, NATIONAL Public Relations and Ms. Isabelle Perras, Optimum Public Relations. For Mr. Jacques Laliberté, the Association plays an essential role in the wellbeing of the Quebec population: “The Quebec Chronic Pain Association is a meeting point for patients affected by various illnesses but who share the burden of chronic pain on a daily basis. Training, education and prevention will improve chronic pain management for patients and their families. The support and contribution of partners from the public and private sectors are imperative to
lessening the socioeconomic burden of chronic pain”, says Mr. Laliberté. “Together, we can improve the quality of life of the Quebec population”. About Chronic Pain Chronic pain can manifest itself through various diseases, including fibromyalgia, low back pain, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, migraine, zona and multiple sclerosis, to name a few. It is characterized by a recurring localized or diffused pain, which persists above the normal recovery period following a disease or an accident. It can also be associated with a chronic disorder or a progressive or degenerative disease. Chronic pain may appear suddenly or progressively, without any identifiable cause, in any part of the body. Its prevalence increases with age and its repercussions on people's lives are devastating, having a direct impact on their activities, mood, sleep, as well as interpersonal and family relationships. Those suffering from chronic pain must cope with prejudice and misconceptions, often leading to isolation. About the Quebec Chronic Pain Association Founded in 2004, the Quebec Chronic Pain Association counts today over 4,000 members. Its mission is to improve the condition of those suffering from chronic pain in Quebec and reduce their isolation. The Association works closely with the Quebec Pain Research Network, pain clinics, researchers, the Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux du Québec and other partner and stakeholders toward the creation of multidisciplinary clinics as well as education and prevention programs pertaining to chronic pain. - 30 -
For information or to schedule an interview, contact Manon Gauthier or Melissa Maloul-Cohen at Cohn & Wolfe by dialing 514-845-2257 or via email at manon.gauthier@cohnwolfe.ca or melissa.maloul-cohen@cohnwolfe.ca
April 21, 2009 photo vignette photo (Group) living with chronic pain: fighting the burden of chronic pain in the workplace The business community unites to support the Quebec Chronic Pain Association The Quebec Chronic Pain Association (www.douleurchronique.org) launched its first corporate fundraising campaign for 2009-2011, titled “Living with Chronic Pain”, with the objective of raising a total of $875,000 over the next 3 years. First row, from left to right: Isabelle Perras, Optimum Public Relations, Hélène V. Gagnon, Bombardier Aerospace, Campaign Committee President and Manon Gauthier, Cohn & Wolfe. Second row: Luc J. Couture, Tecsult-Aecom, Serge Paquette, NATIONAL, Jacques Laliberté, President of the Quebec Chronic Pain Association, Richard Bélanger, Richard Bélanger and Associates and Ghislain Dufour, NATIONAL. Absent: Jean-François Hébert, Évolution Pharma, Jacques Laplante, Wal Immobilier, Jocelyn Leclerc, SECOR Counsulting and Andrew Molson, RES PUBLICA Consulting Group. (Photo Credit: Paul Ducharme) April 21, 2009 PHOTO vignette (hélène v. gagnon) living with chronic pain: fighting the burden of chronic pain in the workplace The business community unites to support the Quebec Chronic Pain Association
The Quebec Chronic Pain Association (www.douleurchronique.org) launched today its first corporate fundraising campaign for 2009-2011, titled “Living with Chronic Pain”, with the objective of raising a total of $875,000 over the next 3 years. Today's announcement is also a call for generosity and corporate responsibility made by Hélène V. Gagnon, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Communications and Corporate Responsibility, Bombardier Aerospace to the Quebec business community, who is leading this important initiative. (Credit photo: Special Collaboration)