Our Mission
The Ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay Foundation’s mission is to discover and develop a treatment for the Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS).
Persons with ARSACS
You have been diagnosed with ARSACS, you are not alone. Individuals living with ARSACS are all around the world.
There is hope because Research that heals!
Researchers
Interested in doing ARSACS research ?
The Foundation supports ARSACS researchers by providing funding, research tools and supporting/ organizing conferences.
Furthermore, the Foundation is looking for partners to conduct preclinical and clinical trials.
Community
The Foundation is supported entirely by private donors and volunteers. We need your support to pursue the mission.
Different ways you can help. Get involved.
$1.1M net raised for ARSACS research at the Diner des Producteurs
The Diner des Producteurs, an annual major fundraising event to support ARSACS research, was held on October 27, 2022 under the Honorary Presidency of Mr. Vincent Chiara.
On behalf of the persons living with ARSACS, their families and the Foundation, thank you to all of you for your generosity : Mr. Vincent Chiara, sponsors, partners, donors and volunteers. With your support, the Foundation can pursue its mission to develop a treatment for ARSACS.
Researchers & Pharmaceuticals
Apply for a grant
The Foundation provides grants and opportunities to researchers.The research grant could be as high as $100,000 for a 12 month period and could be renewed for a second year.
Research tools available
- Sacs Knock Out mouse (#033221)
- Sacs Knock In mouse (#033385)
- iPS cells derived from samples taken from people diagnosed with ARSACS (homozygous c.8844delT).
Conferences
The Foundation organizes and supports conferences such as the International ARSACS Symposium.
Preclinical and clinical trials
The Foundation is looking for partners to conduct preclinical and clinical trials. It has the expertise and the tools available.
What can I do to help the ARSACS community and the ARSACS Foundation?
ARSACS is a rare disease. You can help by becoming an ARSACS advocate and creating awareness for the cause.
You can organize fundraising activities in your community to support research and clinical trials.
Another way to help …. Be the eyes on what is going on. You do not have to be a scientist to help advance science for ARSACS. We believe that research on other neurological diseases may help research on ARSACS and eventually lead to therapies. This is the reason why we asked you to be the eyes on what is going on for other types of ataxias and other neurological diseases. In other words, if you see or read scientific material that is worth sharing and validating (outbreaks, drugs, clinical trials, fundamental research developments), please do not hesitate to transmit this information to the ARSACS Foundation. The Foundation has dedicated volunteers and can seek professional advice to confirm or infirm the relevance of the information with respect to ARSACS.
The Ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay Foundation’s mission is to discover and develop a treatment for the Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS).
The Ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay Foundation, founded in 2006, is a charitable organization federally registered with no employees and is supported entirely by private donations and volunteers
Research that heals so
There is HOPE
The Foundation’s mission is to discover and develop a treatment for the Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS).
Progress has been made over the years in identifying the source of the disorder. Your support is crucial to continue funding high potential projects as well as a clinical trial of a repurposed drug.
Latest News
“Preclinical studies in the Sacs KO mouse model of ARSACS”- Dr. Strack
“Preclinical studies in the Sacs KO mouse model of ARSACS”– research project under the leadership of Dr Stefan Strack from University of Iowa, USA
Le Diner des Producteurs – Reservation form
Thank you to Rio Tinto and business entrepreneurs in Saguenay!
As part of a program at improving worker health, Rio Tinto et 3 business companies from Saguenay donate $2,887.50 for ARSACS research. Thank you to the donors and the organizers for their generosity.
Photo from L to R, Mr. Etienne Fortin (Rio Tinto), Georges Perron (JE Perron), Carl Émond (Claveau et Fils), Jeannot Savard (Excavation de Chicoutimi Inc.), Gabriel Paquet (Défi Charlevoix-Saguenay) and Carl Bourgeois (representing the Ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay Foundation).
“A mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant (MitoQ) improves motorcoordination and reduces Purkinje cell death in a mouse model”
“A mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant (MitoQ) improves motor coordination and reduces Purkinje cell death in a mouse model of ARSACS”– ARSACS research by Drs. Watt and McKinney from McGill published in the Neurobiology of Disease journal in May, 2023. Research funded by the Ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay Foundation.
ARSACS research by Dr. Maltecca’s team published
ARSACS research by Dr. Maltecca and her team published in the JCI insights in May, 2023. “Restoring calcium homeostasis in Purkinje cells arrests neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in the ARSACS mouse model”
Register now ! 2023 ARSACS Symposium
Join us for an unique opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in ARSACS research.
As an accredited satellite meeting of the 2023 World Congress of Neurology (WCN), the ARSACS Symposium will be held immediately following the WCN on October 19 -20 in Montreal. It is a free scientific in-person and virtual event open to all.
We hope to see you there!