UCBeyond Scholarship

Second UCBeyond Scholarship Program launched for students living with rheumatoid arthritis
(Posted February 27, 2008)
UCB Pharma Canada recently announced the return of the UCBeyond Crohn's Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis Scholarship Program, the first and only scholarships of their kind in Canada. “This scholarship, quite simply, has changed my life,” says Laura Bradbury, recipient of a 2007 UCBeyond Crohn’s Disease Scholarship. “Completing my post-secondary schooling has always been a goal for me, and the UCBeyond Scholarship Program has given me the opportunity to achieve it.” Obtaining a good education - an important goal for most Canadians - is hard enough to attain without dealing with a chronic illness. With the objective of making education an achievable goal for students living with Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, UCB Pharma Canada is committed to offering the UCBeyond Scholarship Program again in 2008. “UCB is dedicated to creating unique programs and tools to aid patients in reaching above and beyond the boundaries of their disease and fulfilling their educational ambitions,” says Rob Hamilton, President of UCB Pharma Canada. “We are proud of the 14 recipients who have already furthered their post-secondary education through these scholarships, and we look forward to even more participation across Canada in 2008. Not only do the scholarships create incredible opportunities, but also great awareness of these diseases.” The UCBeyond Scholarship Program will award seven (7), one-time scholarships of up to $5,000 CDN each to people diagnosed with Crohn's disease and seven (7), one-time scholarships of up to $5,000 CDN each to people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The winners must demonstrate academic ambition and use their scholarship toward post-secondary education (i.e. university, college, trade school, etc.) for the 2008/09 school year. An independent selection committee of leading physicians and patient representatives from across the country will again choose the 2008 UCBeyond Scholarship recipients. Applicants will be evaluated based on a one-page essay demonstrating how they go above and beyond their disease, exhibit perseverance and empower others, as well as two letters of personal recommendation. The deadline to apply is June 30, and winners will be announced in September 2008. “The UCB Scholarship is valuable to the arthritis community,” says Steven McNair, President and CEO of The Arthritis Society. “The scholarship has made an impact in the lives of people living with rheumatoid arthritis. It has provided young Canadians with an opportunity to pursue their educational goals and it has empowered them to live their lives to the fullest. When someone is diagnosed with arthritis, what they desire to achieve can become a challenge, and this helps them to overcome obstacles that arthritis imposes on their lives.” Other proud supporters of the UCBeyond Scholarship Program include: The Arthritis Society (TAS), the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA), the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA) and the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG). Students interested in applying for the 2008 UCBeyond Crohn’s Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis Scholarship Program can obtain an application package from their gastroenterologist or rheumatologist. Alternatively, you can follow these links to access a downloadable application form and some frequently asked questions.