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. 

Your voice is very important. Make your voice heard by participating in ARSACS research. 

Connect with Other ARSACS Patients

ARSACS International Patient Registry

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

PROSPAX Natural History Study

PROSPAX Natural History Study

The PROSPAX (PROgression chart of SPAstic ataXias) project, which focuses on ARSACS and SPG7 ataxias , is a collaborative effort between neurologists across several sites throughout Europe and Canada. The overall aim is to gain a better understanding of how spastic ataxias progress over time to prepare well-designed treatment trials for these conditions . This is called ‘trial-readiness’. The Foundation is the Patient Advocacy Organisation on that project. More details .

ODV finances ARSACS research

ODV finances ARSACS research

The Organizzazione di volontariato (ODV) finances Dr. Roberto Giambruno’s research “Alterations of SACSIN RNA-binding properties are connected to the development of ARSACS” in 2024-2025 .

ODV, a volunteer organization in Italy founded by Susanna Deluca and Dr. Paolo  Arrigoni, a member of the Foundation’s Board, is dedicated to the ARSACS cause. Fondazione Telethon is an Italian non-profit organization which finances scientific research projects on rare diseases. 

Mrs. Carole Gailloux joins the Foundation’s Board

Mrs. Carole Gailloux joins the Foundation’s Board

The Ataxia Charlevoix- Saguenay Foundation is pleased to announce that Mrs. Carole Gailloux has joined its Board of Directors. “Mrs Gailloux brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team with a skill set that will undoubtedly enrich our Board strategic planning efforts” mentionned Jean Groleau, president.

Submit your ARSACS Research Proposal

Submit your ARSACS Research Proposal

The Foundation is inviting researchers to submit their ARSACS projects. We are seeking innovative and impactful research projects that will contribute significantly towards the development of a treatment for ARSACS. New this year: “start-up financing offer” (Seed Grant) in addition to the standard financing grant.

To submit your proposal :

Application Form

ARSACS Call for Proposal

Submission Deadline: May 24, 2024

Dr. Marc Rivière joins the Foundation’s Board

Dr. Marc Rivière joins the Foundation’s Board

The Ataxie Charlevoix-Saguenay Foundation is very pleased to announce that Dr. Marc Rivière has joined its board of directors. An executive with extensive experience creating and managing clinical programs, Dr. Rivière’s expertise encompasses all aspects of drug development.

His experience in clinical trials and his knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry could make a significant contribution to the advancement of work on ARSACS. Dr. Rivière is a General Partner and Chief Medical Officer at TVM Life Science Management.