BY J. M. LEE
White Rock resident Carleen Pauliuk is Arthritis Society Canada’s Vice President of Western Canada and is fiercely determined to get meaningful results on arthritis. Passionate about healthcare fundraising, Carleen is laser- focused on her mission to inspire leaders, governments, and community members to invest in arthritis program and research.
Carleen’s upbringing in the diverse communities of White Rock and Surrey, plus her interactions with South Asians, has deeply influenced her values and approach to philanthropy. This personal connection fuels her passion for inclusive fundraising and community-building, a commitment she carries into her role at the Arthritis Society Canada, where she leads South Asian and Chinese fundraising and awareness strategies.
Carleen underscores the urgency of arthritis-specific care, particularly in rural and underserved areas. These regions, often with limited or no healthcare providers, are also home to large newcomer populations. The need for more resources is alarming, with only one rheumatologist available and almost no physical and occupational therapy programs for people with arthritis in areas like East Langley, Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, and Hope. Patients must enlist for a one-year waitlist to see a specialist. Carleen is determined to change this.
In fall 2023, the Arthritis Society Canada released its landmark Report Card on The State of Arthritis in Canada, which found that British Columbia needed more arthritis research, awareness, and program.
Never shying away from a tough conversation, Carleen is raising her voice to support fair and timely access to arthritis care for all. “Over 40 percent of people living with arthritis in British Columbia have pain that limits their activities,” says Carleen. “Inflammation caused by arthritis can cause irreparable damage and result in loss of function and disabilities that could be preventable with timely access to care.”
As Carleen drives Arthritis Society Canada’s critical work in Western Canada and gets the region set for Arthritis Awareness Month in September, she prioritizes the South Asian community.
“I have connected with leaders and community advocates, and what I am hearing is that there is a stigma since arthritis is an older person’s disease. It affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in Canada—people of all ages. That means 20 percent of people you know could have this brutal disease, and the numbers will rise unless we act now.”
Carleen’s impactful work has not gone unnoticed. In Metro Vancouver, she became a 2024 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Nominee this year. She says, “Each day, I wake up filled with enthusiasm, determination, and zest, driven to collaborate with some of the most incredible people. Together, we turn their philanthropic visions into tangible realities. It’s more than a privilege; it’s a calling.”
