About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Care4ASH1L is a CRA approved charitable organization (Charity Number: 77069 0261 RR0001) incorporated federally in Canada, as per Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. We are dedicated to advancing research into understanding the molecular mechanism of ASH1L and expedite development of therapeutics for ASH1L gene disorder. We intend to raise funds for important research projects at leading universities in North America and Europe to enable focused research for ASH1L.
Charity Business Number : 77069 0261 RR0001
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Our Story
The journey of Care4ASH1L began its roots in early 2020 when two mothers, with ASH1L children, met on a social media platform. They were desperate to help their children and were seeking ways to understand the diagnosis of ASH1L. The idea of Care4ASH1L struck when they heard a CBC podcast of another rare disease family. Thus began the odyssey of Care4ASH1L.
Meet The Board of Directors
Dr. Catherine Strandt
Executive Member at Large
Dr. Catherine Strandt earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Biology from Thompson Rivers University in 2017, followed by a Master’s degree from Harvard University, where her thesis explored health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with AP4-associated hereditary spastic paraplegia (AP4HSP), a rare neurological disorder. She went on to work at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School as a Clinical Research Specialist, helping to lead a neurotranslational research laboratory focused on understanding disease mechanisms and identifying therapeutic opportunities for rare neurogenetic and neurodegenerative diseases.
Catherine holds a Doctorate in Medical Sciences from Northeastern University. She currently serves as a Clinical Research Fellow at Global Genes and works with RareKids-CAN to strengthen Canada’s national rare disease research infrastructure. Her work bridges patient advocacy, genetics, translational research, and project management—driving forward initiatives that empower patient communities and advance the development of treatments for rare diseases.