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The Arthritis Newsletter

Fall 2017

Hear us ROAR: Annual Reaching Out with Arthritis Research Forum Coming this Fall

By Jon Collins

 

Did you know that you could have arthritis and not even know it? More than 70% of us have, or will have, at least one kind of arthritis during our lifetime. Five million Canadians live with more serious inflammatory arthritis, but there are over 100 different types of this disease and it can affect all ages, young and old.

 

This October, learn more about the current aids and help for those with arthritis, latest arthritis research, and even have some of your arthritis questions answered at this year’s Reaching Out with Arthritis Research (ROAR) forum.

 

On Saturday, October 21st at 9:30 a.m., Arthritis Research Canada’s (ARC) Arthritis Patient Advisory Board (APAB) will host this half-day, annual interactive forum and live webinar for the public at the Vancouver Public Library.

 

The stars of this year’s forum will be a physiotherapist trained specifically in arthritis (who will be leading the exercise breaks), researchers talking about their findings with actual arthritis patients, a graduate student measuring patient involvement in research and an arthritis patient speaking on her experience living with arthritis.

 

Dr. Paul Fortin, a rheumatologist and clinical epidemiologist, is currently studying a better understanding of the biological, social, and psychological impacts of chronic rheumatic diseases. He will be speaking on “Managing Lupus and You – Navigate your Journey with ‘My Lupus Guide.’”

 

Cheryl Koehn, a former member of the USA Women’s National Volleyball team, was devastated when the doctor told her she had rheumatoid arthritis – but over time she managed to recover 70-80% of her mobility with the use of developing drugs. Cheryl is now a high level arthritis lobbyist and will present her talk, “What’s a Brain Like you Doing in a Joint Like This?” during the forum.

 

Dr. Linda Li, who holds a faculty position in UBC’s Department of Physiotherapy will be presenting on the use of activity trackers for those suffering from arthritis, and Dr. Diane Lacaille, Professor and Associate Head of Academic Affairs, in the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine at UBC, will provide us with some “Good News About Lifespan for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis.”

 

Karen Tsui, an Advanced Clinician Practitioner in Arthritis Care (ACPAC) in British Columbia, a Pilates instructor and a member of APAB, will lead attendees in exercise breaks during ROAR, and attendees will also hear from another APAB member, Kelly English, on “Wearing Many Hats …. A Patient’s Experience.”

 

Last but not least, Clayon Hamilton, PhD from UBC in the Department of Physiotherapy, will present on “Patient Partners Step up to the Research Plate.”

 

Despite their sophisticated credentials, all of these scientists and speakers are devoted to passing information in an easy-to-understand manner, and each of the talks at ROAR will include a question and answer session at the end.

 

We are very pleased to bring you such a high quality team of researchers and speakers, with topics of great interest, and we look forward to having you join us!  Ensure you sign up today as space is limited!

 

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