On October 17, 2023 Lupus Canada was joined by Dr. Pope who discussed vaccines and their importance for people living with lupus.
A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Janet Pope is a Professor of Medicine and Rheumatologist at the University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine.  She has published over 600 articles; resulting in several research accolades, but Janet is also a passionate teacher/educator especially in Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma. She developed the CRA summer studentships more than 20 years ago and ran the program for years. The studentships have increased the number of rheumatologists by exposing medical students to rheumatology. She created and has led the Future Leaders in Rheumatology program in 2010; now called the CRA Leadership program (LEAP), which is a needs-based program for early career rheumatologists. She currently co-hosts some of the Around the Rheum podcasts after having been featured as a regular guest. Janet has a social media presence on Twitter (@Janetbirdope) where her #ClinicalPearls have a reputation of teaching physical findings to >16,000 followers. She co-directs the McMaster-Western Residents’ Weekend attracting internal medicine trainees to learn rheumatology. Janet is an invited speaker regularly in many parts of the world due to her dynamic interactive style.

On September 27th Lupus Canada was joined by Dr. Barnabe who discussed Lupus & Indigenous Populations of Canada.

A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Dr. Cheryl Barnabe is a Métis rheumatologist and a Canada Research Chair in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases. She is a Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. She is a Vice-Chair in the Department of Medicine (Indigenous Health), and the Deputy Director for the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health.

On July 20, 2023 Lupus Canada was joined by Jennifer Tabrizi, a certified yoga teacher, personal trainer, and nutrition coach, who discussed Fatigue Management and Autoimmune Disease.

Lupus is a lifelong, incurable autoimmune disease that may require lifestyle changes and adjustments. For many people living with lupus, fatigue is one of the most common symptoms.

A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 the Arthritis Society Canada in partnership with Lupus Canada hosted Arthritis Talks: Let’s Talk Lupus, a webinar which discussed the many complexities of lupus to help you better understand the disease. Lupus expert, Dr. Christine Peschken, touched on topics such as:
• Early signs of lupus, symptoms and risk factors
• How lupus is diagnosed
• What makes it so complex and why it is different than other forms of inflammatory arthritis
• Advancements in lupus research and treatment

A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Dr. Christine Peschken is a Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. She is the current Division Head for the Division of Rheumatology, as well as acting Division Head for the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba.
She established the University of Manitoba Lupus clinic at the health sciences Centre in Winnipeg in 2002. She received her medical degree (with distinction) from the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, and trained in General internal medicine and rheumatology at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba. She completed a Master’s degree in epidemiology and biostatistics at McGill University and the University of British Columbia prior to joining the faculty of medicine at the University of Manitoba in 1999.
Dr. Peschken is an established investigator in outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus, with special emphasis on and expertise in health disparities in vulnerable populations with lupus. She is a member of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC), and is the chair of Canadian network for improved outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (CaNIOS).

Social Isolation can be devastating and challenging and has been much more prevalent in the past 3 years, due to pandemic restrictions.
On April 26, 2023 Lupus Canada was joined by Registered Psychotherapist, Janice LeBlanc, who discussed the impact of isolation on those with autoimmune disease. Topics included isolation vs. loneliness, the feelings and mental health challenges that may arise from isolation, as well as coping and self care strategies to lessen its impact. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Janice has over 20 years of clinical experience working with those who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse, motor vehicle accidents and domestic violence, as well as individuals who experience mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression and anxiety. Currently in private practice, she provides ongoing support to first responders and their families. She has extensive experience working with individuals with Special Needs such as ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Janice has specialized training in Art Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy and is a national speaker on self care for professionals, anxiety in children and youth and coping with chronic illness. She works with all walks of life including children, youth, adults and seniors, and is also a retired Secondary School Educator.

On November 17, 2022 Lupus Canada was joined by Dr. Roger Levy who discussed empowering women living with lupus by educating them on lupus and pregnancy/fertility; what to know and to think of, questions to ask, things to consider, the stigma around lupus and pregnancy. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Professor Levy worked as Adjunct Professor of Rheumatology at The State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1996 to 2017.
• He completed a fellowship programme in Rheumatology in 1989 at HSS/Cornell Medical College and received his PhD in Immunology/Biological Sciences from The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in 1994
• Professor Levy’s research concerns the clinical and immunological aspects of Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), Sjögren’s syndrome and always had a special interest and many publications on the interplay of pregnancy and autoimmune diseases
• He participated in the BLISS-52 study as a principal investigator, as well as in the BASE study, in addition to a large experience in clinical trials for SLE and other rheumatic diseases
• He is a member of several scientific journal’s editorial boards, published 3 books and wrote many book chapters. He presented conferences at the most important congresses of Rheumatology. He has published over 180 scientific papers in peer reviewed journals with over 10200 citations and an h-index of 43
• He is a member of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) since 1986, and of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR), the Pan American League Against Rheumatic conditions (PANLAR) and other local medical associations
• He has organized regional and international congresses and has participated in several guidelines’ elaborations and the APS classification criteria
• Professor Levy joined GSK in early 2018 and is currently a Global Medical Expert in the Specialty and Medical Care franchise, based in Upper Providence, Philadelphia, US

On October 20, 2022 Lupus Canada was joined by Dr. Mark Matsos who presented on the safety and efficacy of vaccines as they relate to lupus patients and any updates on the most recent COVID vaccine. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

On September 22, 2022 Lupus Canada was joined by Tanya Freirich who presented Thriving on Good Nutrition for Lupus. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Tanya Freirich MS RD LDN CDCES is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in North Carolina. Tanya owns and runs a virtual private practice that serves people with Lupus and other autoimmune diseases, and can be found online as “The Lupus Dietitian”.

With more than a decade of experience in nutrition counseling and a Master’s degree in Nutrition, Tanya Freirich is passionate about educating and collaborating with her clients to find their personal path to health. She helps her clients make personalized holistic dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce and eliminate flares, symptoms, and side effects.

In addition to 1:1 nutrition counseling, Tanya Freirich enjoys speaking to Lupus support groups, and runs a group coaching program, “Live Better with Lupus.”

On July 21, 2022 Lupus Canada was joined by Fonda Betts and Tanya Adams who discussed cannabis and lupus. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Ms. Betts, Founder and CEO of the Greenleaf Medical Clinic (est. 2011), created the company’s vision of “Enriching and improving the quality of life for patients through the use of medical cannabis”. The company’s core values of leadership, passion, education and commitment are driven through the company’s promise of maximizing patient outcomes.

Fonda’s extensive knowledge of cannabis comes from studying Cannabinoids in Clinical Practice from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, patient assessments, and collaboration with cannabis physicians and industry leaders.

She has assessed and developed customized treatment plans for more than 15,000 patients. Her work and dedication have gained her recognition as a leader in cannabinoids.

Ms. Betts continues to focus on bringing the benefits of cannabis to all adults, whether they are patients, adult consumers or simply interested in learning more about cannabis and how to use it safely.

On the June 23, 2022 webinar Dr. Linda Hiraki discussed the genetics of lupus – what we know and where we are going. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Dr. Linda Hiraki is a Clinician-Scientist in the Division of Rheumatology and Scientist in Genetics & Genome Biology Program at SickKids Research Institute. Dr. Hiraki completed her medical degree at Queen’s University, and her clinical training in paediatrics and rheumatology at SickKids. She is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in the specialties of paediatrics and paediatric rheumatology. Dr. Hiraki went on to pursue research training at the Harvard School of Public Health where she completed a Masters and Doctor of Science in Epidemiology. Dr. Hiraki holds a Canada Research Chair in Genetics of Rare Systemic Inflammatory Diseases.

Dr. Hiraki is coordinating a large, international cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus patients followed prospectively over years of disease to understand the genetics of lupus, its many manifestations, the disease course, and related outcomes. She is also leading studies to identify rare genetic changes leading to systemic inflammatory diseases including SLE and Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus (NLE) studies.

Ms. Betts continues to focus on bringing the benefits of cannabis to all adults, whether they are patients, adult consumers or simply interested in learning more about cannabis and how to use it safely.

On May 26, 2022 Lupus Canada hosted the “What’s Happening in Lupus Research” webinar presented by Dr. Christine Peschken. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Dr. Christine Peschken is a Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.  She is the current Division Head for the Division of Rheumatology, as well as acting Division Head for the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba.

She established the University of Manitoba Lupus clinic at the health sciences Centre in Winnipeg in 2002.  She received her medical degree (with distinction) from the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, and trained in General internal medicine and rheumatology at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.  She completed a Master’s degree in epidemiology and biostatistics at McGill University and the University of British Columbia prior to joining the faculty of medicine at the University of Manitoba in 1999.

Dr. Peschken is an established investigator in outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus, with special emphasis on and expertise in health disparities in vulnerable populations with lupus.  She is a member of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC), and is the chair of Canadian network for improved outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (CaNIOS).

On April 21, 2022 Lupus Canada hosted the “Benefits of Chiropractic Care” webinar presented by Dr. Heather Bailey. As mentioned in the webinar, the link for the Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain is https://www.lowbackrac.ca/. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Dr. Bailey graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2012 with both honours and clinical honours. Her undergraduate degree is in Human Kinetics (Kinesiology) from the University of Windsor. Her first position as a Chiropractor found her working in downtown Toronto where she worked alongside a family doctor, physiatrist, orthopedic surgeons (specializing in knees and feet), kinesiologist and personal trainers. She has a very strong exercise and rehabilitation background, and believes the key to any successful recovery comes with changing how the body works through exercises. She also stays up to date on current research and “best-evidence” practices.

In July of 2015, Dr. Bailey took part in the PanAm Games as part of the volunteer medical staff, providing chiropractic services as well as assisting the first responders for the athletes, coaches and owners at the Caledon Horse Park.

Dr. Bailey is also a part of the Low Back Rapid Access Clinic, where patients receive rapid low back pain assessment, education and evidence-based self-management plans. It is designed to decrease the prevalence of unmanageable chronic low back pain, reduce unnecessary diagnostic imaging as well as unnecessary specialist referral. It also aims to reduce wait times for specialist referral when necessary. It is a part of the Local Health Integrative Network and is OHIP funded (referrals to this particular program must be made through a family doctor who is registered with the program).

She is a member of both the College of Chiropractors of Ontario and the Ontario Chiropractic Association.

On December 9, 2021 Lupus Canada hosted the “Mental Health and Lupus – Managing Expectations During the Holiday Season” webinar. Our thanks to Janice LeBlanc, a Registered Psychotherapist, who addressed self-care over the holiday season. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Janice has over 20 years of clinical experience working with those who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse, motor vehicle accidents and domestic violence, as well as individuals who experience mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression and anxiety. Currently in private practice, she provides ongoing support to first responders and their families. She has extensive experience working with individuals with Special Needs such as ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Janice has specialized training in Art Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy and is a national speaker on self care for professionals, anxiety in children and youth and coping with chronic illness. She works with all walks of life including children, youth, adults and seniors, and is also a retired Secondary School Educator.

On November 24, 2021 Lupus Canada hosted the “Canada Pension Plan Disability Program – An Overview” webinar.  Our thanks to Brooke Besley, with the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) Program at the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for providing an overview of the Canada Pension Plan Disability Program and for answering audience questions.

Note: This webinar was not recorded but a brief summary with resource links can be found below.

The Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) is a contributory social insurance program that provides contributors and their families with modest income replacement upon the retirement, disability, or death of a contributor.

Part of the CPP, the Canada Pension Plan Disability Program (CPPD) is Canada’s largest disability insurance program and the largest federal income security program for people with disabilities.

The Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) program is a taxable, monthly benefit providing partial earnings replacement for eligible CPP contributors who cannot work due to a severe and prolonged disability.

Applications for CPPD can be completed using either a paper application or online through My Service Canada Account and are submitted to Service Canada to process.

The Canadian Pension Plan Disability Program Toolkit is a valuable source of information which should be consulted prior to the application process.

Designed for not only for clients, but also anyone supporting clients in their application by providing all required program information in a single document, with the intention to simplify the application process. For more information on the CPPD toolkit please visit:

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/pension-plan-disability-benefits/reports/toolkit.html

For additional information on the Canadian Pension Plan Disability Program (CPPD) please visit :

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit.html

Brooke Besley has twenty years of experience spanning both the Ontario provincial and federal governments on a diverse range of subject matter, including the environment, learning, and disability.  She is currently a senior policy analyst at the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) Program at the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), where she has spent the last 12 years working on legislative and regulatory change, policy development and stakeholder engagement.  A graduate of Trent University, she has an honours degree in Economics; and currently lives in Ottawa with her husband and three children. When she isn’t busy working or sleeping, she can be found at either the baseball diamond or the hockey rink cheering her kids on at their games.

On October 13, 2021 Lupus Canada hosted the “Lupus and the COVID-19 Vaccine” Self Advocacy Webinar presented by Dr. Matsos. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

On September 23, 2021 Lupus Canada hosted the Self Advocacy Webinar will be “How do new medicines get to patients in Canada – how can you get involved” presented by AstraZeneca. Thank you to the following speakers: Deborah Wong, Jonathan Feairs, and Priscilla Nykoliation.  A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

On July 22, 2021 we hosted our sixth Self-Advocacy webinar.  Lupus Canada was joined by Abby Charles who presented “Tips For Being Your Own Best Advocate… Lived Experience With Abby Charles”.  A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Abby Charles is a lupus warrior who serves as a Director at the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), The public health institute for Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. In this role, Ms. Charles works with a variety of sectors and stakeholders including: Elected officials, health departments, planning agencies, and community-based organizations and other key stakeholders to design and implement policy, systems, and environmental changes aimed at improving public health.

With over 15 years’ experience as a public health practitioner, Ms. Charles provides expertise and oversight for an extensive portfolio of health equity-focused programs including grassroots public health workforce development, community health worker initiatives, training and technical assistance to promote racially equitable communities, health in all policies strategies, and multi-sector collaborative development to achieve public health transformation.

A dynamic speaker, trainer and facilitator, Ms. Charles offers workshops and technical assistance to organizations and coalitions throughout the United States to highlight the historic and present-day impact of structural racism and other forms of oppression on health inequities across populations and communities and the interconnected impact of the social and structural determinants of health (education, housing, transportation, where people live) on population health outcomes.. These workshops offer tools to improve health and racial equity in policies, systems, environments, practices and decision-making.

Prior to her role at IPHI, Ms. Charles served as Program Coordinator at the Women’s Collective, a nationally recognized organization providing care, prevention, and advocacy services for women, girls and their families living with and at risk for HIV in the Metropolitan DC area. At TWC, Ms. Charles built her experience in peer navigation, women’s health, gender-based violence and HIV.

Ms. Charles is appointed as an Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Research and Leadership at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is a graduate of the George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Public Health in Public Health. She presently serves on the Washington, DC Mayor’s Commission on Caribbean Community Affairs, the board of The Well Project, the Bishop Anstey High School Alumnae Association of Washington, DC, the Community Advisory Boards of the DC Center for AIDS Research and the GW Cancer Center, and serves as interim chair of the Trinidad and Tobago Diaspora Association Network.

Our fifth Self-Advocacy Webinar took place on June 10, 2021. Our guest speaker, Melissa Hemphill, a Holistic Nutritionist discussed Lupus and Nutrition.  For a copy of Melissa’s presentation, please click here.  A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Melissa’s passions are all things food-related. With a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Guelph, Melissa went on to pursue a diploma in Natural Nutrition and develop a career as a Holistic Nutritionist. Through learning all that she did about the importance of feeding our bodies the right fuel it became more and more obvious that it is our food system that is leading us to illness.
After moving to Revelstoke in 2006, Melissa became involved with the North Columbia Environmental Society and helped to create the first community garden through what was then a committee of the NCES called the Local Food Initiative. Melissa served as a member and the chair of this committee, then created the Coordinator position in 2014 and filled it for 18 months. She helped to establish the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative as its own society and continues on in a board member position.  Melissa is currently the Food Security Coordinator with Community Connections (Revelstoke) Society and is working to implement recommendations from the Revelstoke Food Security Strategy to make Revelstoke a more food secure community.

Lupus Canada would like to thank Minister Patty Hajdu for taking time to speak with us on May 20, 2021 at our Lupus Awareness Month Self-Advocacy Webinar.  A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Minister of Health
Location: Thunder Bay—Superior North

The Honourable Patty Hajdu was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North in 2015.

Minister Hajdu is a strong advocate for women’s rights, youth employment, and affordable housing.

Before entering politics, Minister Hajdu was the Executive Director of Shelter House Thunder Bay and a co-author of the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy. She also previously worked in public health and focused on drug policy, youth development, and homelessness.

She is a compassionate advocate for Thunder Bay—Superior North and all of Canada, believing that a more inclusive country benefits everyone. As Member of Parliament, she remains firmly focused on ensuring every Canadian has a fair shot at success.

Minister Hajdu is a graduate of Lakehead University and earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Victoria.

Source: https://pm.gc.ca/en/cabinet/honourable-patty-hajdu

Our third Advocacy Webinar – Mental Health and Lupus, took place on April 29, 2021. Janice LeBlanc, a Registered Psychotherapist, addressed topics such as ‘How lupus can impact mental health’,  ‘What help and/or programs are available’, ‘How would a lupus patient advocate for themselves or a loved one living with lupus to ensure to get the help they require’ and ‘Coping strategies – how to help yourself’.  A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

Janice has over 20 years of clinical experience working with those who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse, motor vehicle accidents and domestic violence, as well as individuals who experience mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression and anxiety. Currently in private practice, she provides ongoing support to first responders and their families. She has extensive experience working with individuals with Special Needs such as ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Janice has specialized training in Art Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy and is a national speaker on self care for professionals, anxiety in children and youth and coping with chronic illness. She works with all walks of life including children, youth, adults and seniors, and is also a retired Secondary School Educator.

The ‘Managing Your Finances While Living With Lupus’ webinar took place on March 18, 2021. Our guest speaker, Vikas Tiwari who is Lupus Canada’s Treasurer, is an experienced Wealth Management professional and currently manages an independent wealth advisory practice with clients based throughout North America. He established his educational foundations with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and advanced them through earning the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation. For a copy of the Financial Management Toolkit mentioned by Vikas in his presentation, please click here.  A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.

The ‘Advocacy 101’ webinar took place on February 18th. Our guest speaker, Thomas Simpson who is the Chair of Lupus Canada’s Advocacy Committee, discussed what is advocacy and how to become a successful self-advocate. For a copy of Thomas’ presentation, please click here. A video recording of the webinar is available below for viewing.