Patient voices matter and they are shaping the future of care.
CAPA will be at the 2026 Canadian Rheumatology Association Annual Scientific Meeting in Halifax, presenting two posters on Friday, April 17 at 5:30 PM AT.
To learn more, check out our website post: buff.ly/oPav6Xv
Lupus Canada is creating a new national peer support program and wants input from people living with lupus. A short survey asks what support would help most and whether you’d like to help shape the program. Please share through clinics and community networks.
EN: buff.ly/dyzbyhJ
FR: buff.ly/GSQMOvS
Drug shortages aren’t logistical challenges, they're deeply human experiences that leave patients feeling overlooked and unsupported. When access to essential medications is disrupted, the consequences go far beyond inconvenience.
🔗 Read the full report: buff.ly/OQE48sA
Continue to fuel your day ☕ and make a real impact 💛
Coffee for CAPA is here! In partnership with Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance and Sparkplug Coffee, you can support people living with arthritis just by enjoying your daily coffee.
👉 Shop here: buff.ly/3wVFTWd
Fuel your day ☕ and make a real impact 💛
Coffee for CAPA is here! In partnership with Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance and Sparkplug Coffee, you can support people living with arthritis just by enjoying your daily coffee.
👉 Shop here: buff.ly/3wVFTWd
Promotional graphic from the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA) for a webinar titled “Getting on a Biologic Medication” as part of the Lived Experience Series. The webinar takes place March 31, 2026 at 6:00 PM EDT and lasts 1 hour. Speakers include Megan Friedman (Educator and Disability Advocate), Dr. Quinn Grundy (Registered Nurse), and Dr. Alexandra Legge (Rheumatologist), shown with headshots. A QR code is included for registration.
⏳ Just 1 day to go!
Last chance to register for our free webinar “Getting on a Biologic Medication.”
👉 Save your spot: buff.ly/VY9Dl7R
#Biologics #PatientSupportPrograms #InflammatoryArthritis #RareDisease
Graphique de citation avec des bordures latérales violettes et des guillemets bleus. Le texte dit : « Il y a tellement de personnes qui donnent de leur temps ou travaillent au sein de la communauté de l’arthrite. Il existe de très petites organisations dirigées par des patients dévoués, passionnés, souvent épuisés et disposant de ressources limitées. Je dirais que ce sont ces organisations qui connaissent le mieux ce que signifie réellement vivre avec l’arthrite, à travers un prisme très personnel. » Attribution : Dawn Richards.
Après 20 ans d’engagement avec les patients… ceux-ci occupent-ils vraiment une place centrale aujourd’hui ?
Une réflexion percutante de Dawn Richards sur l’expérience vécue, la défense des droits et les lacunes qui subsistent.
👉 buff.ly/ilXRYnF
The Lupus Canada Scholarship Program helps students living with lupus continue their post-secondary education 🎓
More details, eligibility & application: buff.ly/8yI0AuI
Social media graphic with a quote from Dr. Mina Tadrous stating that drug shortages are not just supply issues but reflect how the health system is organized, emphasizing the need for patient experience to inform policy and system improvements.
Drug shortages are often framed as supply chain issues — but patients experience them as system failures. Our latest report shows how gaps in communication, coordination, and policy amplify the impact.
🔗 Read the full report: buff.ly/rcXaor7
Graphic featuring a quote from Linda Wilhelm, President of the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance, stating that drug shortages are not minor inconveniences for people with chronic conditions, as disruptions to stable treatment plans can impact health, work, and daily life.
As global supply chains face increasing pressure from geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions, the impacts are being felt by people living with arthritis in Canada.
🔗 Read the report: buff.ly/rcXaor7
Promotional graphic from the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA) for a webinar titled “Getting on a Biologic Medication” as part of the Lived Experience Series. The webinar takes place March 31, 2026 at 6:00 PM EDT and lasts 1 hour. Speakers include Megan Friedman (Educator and Disability Advocate), Dr. Quinn Grundy (Registered Nurse), and Dr. Alexandra Legge (Rheumatologist), shown with headshots. A QR code is included for registration.
⏳ 1 week to go!
Join our free webinar “Getting on a Biologic Medication” to learn what to expect—from treatment decisions to navigating Patient Support Programs. The webinar features patient/lived experience, a nurse-researcher, and rheumatologist perspectives!
👉 Register: buff.ly/VY9Dl7R
Quote graphic with purple side borders and blue quotation marks. Text reads: “There are so many people who give time to or work in the arthritis community. There are very small organizations run by dedicated, passionate, and often exhausted and barely resourced patients. I’d argue these are the organizations that know the most about what it’s really like to live with arthritis – through a very personal lens.” Attribution: Dawn Richards.
After 20 years of patient engagement… are patients really at the centre yet?
A powerful reflection by Dawn Richards (former Vice-President with CAPA) on lived experience, advocacy, and the gaps that still exist.
👉 Read more: buff.ly/XuEFWJb
#PatientEngagement #HealthPolicy #Arthritis
🎥 Upcoming Webinar: Getting on a Biologic Medication
Starting a biologic medication can feel like a big step. Join us on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 6:00 PM EDT for a free webinar exploring the journey of beginning biologic therapy for arthritis.
We hope you’ll join us!
March is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month in Canada 💙
Juvenile arthritis affects thousands of children and youth across the country. It’s more than joint pain — it can impact mobility, school, mental health, and everyday childhood experiences.
🌟 IMPACT & LOOKING AHEAD: We’re pleased to share CAPA’s 2025 Impact Report
Together, these documents highlight where we’re headed and the meaningful progress we’ve made as a community.
📄 Read the 2025 Impact Report here:
buff.ly/euPMLd6
💡 Get Involved with CAPA!
📩 Reach out directly to CAPA’s Managing Director to share your ideas.
➡️ Contact details available on our website (link in bio and QR code).
Let’s build this resource together.
February 28th is Rare Disease Day
Join us in revisiting our Rare Rheumatic Disease Drop-In Event:
👉 Rare Rheumatic Disease Drop-In – Event Recording
🗓️ February 28 – Rare Disease Day
📝 A recording is available to watch anytime
🎥 Access it through the QR code in the post
SURVEY OPPORTUNITY!
Researchers with SHAPE Plus Pain are inviting 2S/LGBTQQIA+ people living with chronic pain across Canada to share their experiences through a short, anonymous survey.
👉 Learn more at buff.ly/LmyTSlB
🌟 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: CAPA member Jenny Lorca is featured on Action on Pain! In this episode, Jenny shares their personal journey and reflects on the importance of peer connection, community support, and protecting personhood within patienthood.
Check out the episode! buff.ly/HAjariV
Climate change affects people living with rheumatic diseases. Dr. Sasha Bernatsky (McGill- EBOH; RI-MUHC-IDIGH) is part of REACT Rheum: buff.ly/Ur9dz77.
A member Dr. Tom Bush will present a Climate Health Society webinar on climate change and rheumatic conditions on Mar 25, 12–1 PM: buff.ly/cBlSmBL
Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week 💜
Sexual and reproductive health is an important part of overall well-being, including for people living with chronic and autoimmune conditions. It impacts physical health, mental health, relationships, and quality of life.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY!
Researchers with the Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) program at the Institute for Work & Health are looking to speak with eligible participants!
👉 Learn more at buff.ly/0lHiLH9!
🎉 It's Almost Here!
Join us for an upcoming webinar on navigating the healthcare system:
👉 Navigating Care: Real-Life Perspectives on the Healthcare System
🗓️ Wednesday, February 18, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM (EDT)
💻 Online | Free & open to everyone
➡️ Link in bio
✨ What have we been up to?
Recently, CAPA established the Francophone Education and Resources Support Advisory Committee, a group of five French-speaking individuals living with arthritis.
Swipe through the infographic to learn more about this important initiative.
🔬 #ResearchSpotlight!
A new patient facing rheumatoid arthritis outcomes dashboard shows promise in helping people living with RA understand their disease data more clearly and make decisions alongside their clinicians.
🔗 Read more: buff.ly/WqlOq9v
CLOSING FEB 16TH!
Lupus Ontario's Lupus Patient Experience Survey to better understand how lupus affects patients and their caregivers is closing soon. The survey explores quality of life, medication effectiveness, and the financial challenges many people face.
👉 Take the survey link in bio!
✨ What We’ve Been Up To: Bringing Patient Voices to Preventive Health Care
We’ve been working to ensure the lived experiences and priorities of people living with arthritis are reflected in national preventive health care policy.
Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re amplifying patient voices!
🔬 #ResearchSpotlight!
Rheumatoid arthritis flares aren’t always easy to define or measure.
The OMERACT RA Flare Tool was co-developed with people living with RA to better reflect real world flare experiences. By centring patient voices, this tool helps improve how flares are identified.
February 2nd is Rheumatoid Arthritis Day 💙
RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects more than joints, it impacts energy, mental health, and daily life.
We stand with everyone living with RA and continue advocating for awareness, understanding, and better care.
🎉 Coming Soon!
Join us for an upcoming webinar on navigating the healthcare system:
👉 Navigating Care: Real-Life Perspectives on the Healthcare System
🗓️ Wednesday, February 18, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM (EDT)
➡️ buff.ly/cXm33Rq