JointHealth™ express December 20, 2018
JointHealth™ insight – December 2018
Happy Holidays from ACE!
A time to give thanks, reflect on the past, and look forward to the future
“’Tis the season” when our thoughts turn to sharing, caring and remembering; a perfect time to thank all of Arthritis Consumer Experts’ members, subscribers, research partners and supporters for their ongoing engagement and support. Together, we remain committed to helping people living with arthritis across Canada through research-based information and education.
In 2019, ACE will remain focussed on helping all Canadians living, playing, working and raising families with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis and the many other forms of the disease. As it has for the past 20 years, our work will reflect your needs and aspirations. As Canada’s largest and longest running patient-led arthritis organization, we will continue to fight for the rights of people living with the disease; to work with healthcare professionals and governments to develop services and policies that reflect a world as seen through our eyes and experiences; to inform the implementation of models of care to better help patients like us in their disease journeys; and to volunteer and work side-by-side with Canada’s brightest arthritis researchers and knowledge translators.
Over the past two weeks, you’ve graciously shared your wishes as part of ACE’s #MyArthritisWishList social media campaign – sincerest thanks for your participation in this fun and inspiring campaign. Your wishes remind us that when you live with arthritis, that means “every day, all day." For many of us there are days with no break from pain, stiffness, depression, relationship challenges; the list is long. Yet, despite it all, we rise above from a deep reservoir of resilience.
On behalf of everyone at ACE, I wish you joy and peace this holiday season.
Sincerely
Cheryl Koehn
Person with rheumatoid arthritis
Founder and President of Arthritis Consumer Experts
Arthritis Consumer Experts’ Year in Review
In 2018, Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) worked to improve the lives of people living with arthritis through education, empowerment and advocacy. With help from the arthritis patient community, healthcare professionals, researchers and partner organizations, ACE submitted patient inputs to CADTH and provincial drug plans, participated in conferences, workshops and webinars, launched JointHealth™ Education Advanced Therapies, provided updates from the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism annual meetings, and advocated on behalf of our community with public and private health policymakers.
Thank you to our members and subscribers for making 2018 one of the best years yet! Here are the monthly highlights from this year and some holiday tips to get you through the rest of the year.
JointHealth™ insight – December 2018
Happy Holidays from ACE!
A time to give thanks, reflect on the past, and look forward to the future
“’Tis the season” when our thoughts turn to sharing, caring and remembering; a perfect time to thank all of Arthritis Consumer Experts’ members, subscribers, research partners and supporters for their ongoing engagement and support. Together, we remain committed to helping people living with arthritis across Canada through research-based information and education.
"When you help a person living with arthritis, you are passing on the message that “you are not alone, we are with you, don’t be afraid.” That message needs to be shared not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.
Today, arthritis is Canada’s most prevalent disease and it’s far more serious than most people realize. Approximately six million adults – one in five – have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Two-thirds are under the age of 65. Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are the leading cause of work disability in Canada. In other words, we are a “big deal” to the health care system and to society.In 2019, ACE will remain focussed on helping all Canadians living, playing, working and raising families with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis and the many other forms of the disease. As it has for the past 20 years, our work will reflect your needs and aspirations. As Canada’s largest and longest running patient-led arthritis organization, we will continue to fight for the rights of people living with the disease; to work with healthcare professionals and governments to develop services and policies that reflect a world as seen through our eyes and experiences; to inform the implementation of models of care to better help patients like us in their disease journeys; and to volunteer and work side-by-side with Canada’s brightest arthritis researchers and knowledge translators.
Over the past two weeks, you’ve graciously shared your wishes as part of ACE’s #MyArthritisWishList social media campaign – sincerest thanks for your participation in this fun and inspiring campaign. Your wishes remind us that when you live with arthritis, that means “every day, all day." For many of us there are days with no break from pain, stiffness, depression, relationship challenges; the list is long. Yet, despite it all, we rise above from a deep reservoir of resilience.
"The worldwide arthritis community is my hero."
Every day, I’m constantly inspired by our arthritis community, made up of people who are brave, funny, brilliant, insightful, industrious, and so many other wonderful qualities. People trying to be all that they can be, while also trying to kick arthritis to the curb. The worldwide arthritis community is my hero.On behalf of everyone at ACE, I wish you joy and peace this holiday season.
Sincerely
Cheryl Koehn
Person with rheumatoid arthritis
Founder and President of Arthritis Consumer Experts
Arthritis Consumer Experts’ Year in Review
In 2018, Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) worked to improve the lives of people living with arthritis through education, empowerment and advocacy. With help from the arthritis patient community, healthcare professionals, researchers and partner organizations, ACE submitted patient inputs to CADTH and provincial drug plans, participated in conferences, workshops and webinars, launched JointHealth™ Education Advanced Therapies, provided updates from the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism annual meetings, and advocated on behalf of our community with public and private health policymakers.
Thank you to our members and subscribers for making 2018 one of the best years yet! Here are the monthly highlights from this year and some holiday tips to get you through the rest of the year.
Arthritis Consumer Experts
ACE thanks Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) for its scientific review of ACE and JointHealth™ information and education programs.