Mr. Riyad Elbard

Mr. Riyad Elbard

Mr. Riyad Elbard, President of Thalassemia Foundation of Canada, has been a leading member of the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada for over 25 years.

He is dedicated to advocating for optimal care for all thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies patients. He represents the foundation on various committees and has been instrumental in building and maintaining strong collaborative networks with partners and stakeholders. Riyad, with a special interest and expertise in blood safety, represents the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada on the Board of Directors of the Thalassemia International Federation where he has been serving in the position of Treasurer since 1998.

He is also a solid rare disease activist and has been serving on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders since 2015, and on the Board of Directors for the Network for Rare Blood Disorders since its inception in 2004.

A passionate and outspoken thalassemia patient has acted as the patient’s voice at forums and meetings both at the national and international levels.