Newsletter – March 2022

Youth-led Instagram Live

It’s Juvenile Arthritis Month and we know that youth with rheumatic disease experience a range of unique issues, like transitioning to adult health care, self-advocacy, and more. Join us on April 3rd as we co-host a youth-led Instagram Live about self-advocacy for youth with rheumatic diseases. The event will be co-hosted by Take a Pain Check founder, Natasha Trehan and CAPA Board member, Emily Sirotich. They will be joined by Anna Samson and Carly Fox, two young adults from Canada living with Juvenile Arthritis (Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, and Psoriatic Arthritis).

Save the date and join us for this unique event!

What have we been up to?

Pan-Canadian drug formulary – Improving access to medications and pharmacare is always top of mind and we shared our perspectives with CADTH to respond to the consultation on a pan-Canadian drug formulary – check out our submission on our website.

How can employers support women+ with inflammatory arthritis, psoriasis? We’ve been working to educate private plan designers and employers about designing benefit plans that meet needs of women+ with rheumatic and psoriatic diseases. Benefits Canada wrote this article to highlight our work and we developed a tip sheet to to spark change. Check out these resources today!

“Arthritis and you ” workshop – We are working with Action Dignity, a community-based organization that facilitates the collective voice of Calgary’s ethno-cultural communities. We hosted a workshop on “Arthritis and you” to better understand the needs of different ethnic and cultural communities when it comes to arthritis. Stay tuned to hear more about this important project!

Get Involved!

Drug shortages? Let us know! Have you experienced any drug shortages? We are monitoring the situation since we are seeing issues with deliveries of many essential items. Please let us know so we can better advocate for your needs – contact us directly today!

Stay Informed!

COVID-19 vaccine boosters – We created a short resource that outlines the eligibility criteria and additional information about the COVID-19 booster shots by province or territory. Learn more about by reading this new resource on our website!

#DisabledAndCute – What do you do when you get a chronic illness in your 20’s? Steff DiPardo, a young adult with Ankylosing Spondylitis, took to social media to help others. Read this article in the Toronto Star to learn more!

Making the most out of your appointment – We know there is limited time to speak with your rheumatologist and other physicians about your health. We developed this resource about making the most of your appointment – check it out on our website!

Ask the expert: Dr. Nadia Luca – Is your child newly diagnosed with arthritis? This Facebook event hosted by Cassie & Friends is for you! Participants can connect with other families and get answers to questions.

We have many resources for you! We have resources for you on a range of topics, including tips and tricks for taking Methotrexate, biologics and Methotrexate, and medications to treat inflammatory arthritis. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channel to stay up to date on the latest arthritis and advocacy information!