Happy New Year! It continues to astound me how quickly a year goes by. It seems like yesterday that I was writing 2025’s New Year’s message. New Brunswick is welcoming 2026 with a snowstorm which they say will be followed by a deep freeze. Getting my daily walk in will probably be a challenge over the next few days and I may have to resort to the indoor walking track at our local community center. Getting outdoors, even if just for thirty minutes a day lifts your mood and for me, helps relieve some of the pain from my rheumatoid arthritis. So  indoors it is if I have to and back outside when the weather cooperates. 

2025 was another busy year for our CAPA Team (you can check out a video about our accomplishments here). Long time board member Dawn Richards stepped down from our Board in November. We will miss the regular and insightful input info about our planning and activities. Dawn brought such a wealth of experience to CAPA; her lived experience with rheumatoid arthritis, extensive knowledge on research and clinical trials, patient engagement and health policy will be difficult to replace. Fortunately, we still have her contact information in case of emergency or just to touch base and catch up.

From our work on Patient Support Programs, drug shortages, assistive devices, life hacks and more, CAPA tries to fill gaps in knowledge for people living with arthritis. 

Reach out to us by email, we do our best to respond in a timely manner and we love to hear from you on how we’re doing and what’s important to you. 

I wish you joy, health and peace in 2026. Living with arthritis brings daily challenges, it is my hope that our work makes life a bit easier. 

Linda Wilhelm

President

Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance

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