In my fourth and final year at the "helm" of Joshua's Voyageurs, my daughter Kira and I will take our fourth canoe expedition in as many years, returning once again to the Northwest Territories to paddle the Mountain River in August 2006. As before, we seek your support (through a pledge to Joshua's Voyageurs) to enable us to fund a full time Paediatric Fellow to do clinical research in Rheumatology at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, where our son Joshua has been a patient since he was 3. I established Joshua's Voyageurs in 2003 specifically to support research into this common and yet relatively unknown group of illnesses generally known as Childhood Arthritis. Since beginning in 2003, we have raised well over $200,000 from donations from philanthropists, foundations, banks, a spectrum of companies, and thousands of individuals who care about kids who are ill with Arthritis.

Words cannot express my gratitude for all of the support we have had- it has been truly breathtaking. And yet- more must be done for this group of children who are not yet old enough to advocate effectively for themselves. It is my hope that I will be able to end my tenure at the helm by leaving Sick Kids with $250,000 in donations. A year of Paediatric Fellowship research costs approximately $70,000. With some funding from other sources, the Division of Rheumatology should be able to conduct at least 6 years of research with your donations to Joshua's Voyageurs. You can read about our past researcher, Dr Akikusa, by clicking on the link at the left side of this web page

All your donations are fully tax-receiptable from SickKids Foundation. My family pays for all out-of-pocket expenses associated with running Joshua's Voyageurs, and thus 100% of your donation goes towards supporting research! Please explore our website, or if you are already convinced of the importance of helping kids with Arthritis, please donate by mail, phone, or online now. To do so, click on the Donations link on the left side of this web page.

yours truly,
Randy Gangbar