Greetings! Thank you for your interest in our newsletter. Please take a minute to read about all the exciting news taking place in the primary immunodeficiency community across Canada. Please remember to let us know about any changes to addresses or email, so that you can continue to receive news about the PI community around Canada.
Letter from our Chair
Greetings Members,
Now that it’s March, I’m preparing to see the last of our snow melt away with the Spring rains. I may be a bit hopeful so early in the year, but my mind is awakening from its slower, less active season to its more attentive and creative stage. It is time that lasts and intensifies with the sun’s warming of the ground, the longer days, the return of the birds and the sighting of little green sprouts protruding from the damp soil. Everything is awakening from its winters sleep. Now that excites me. I’m also looking forward to our work with CIPO and all the people we meet. It’s truly wonderful working with others with PI. It reminds me I’m not alone with my illness, but that others too have stories to share and strengths to model. We are stronger together. I wish you all health and happiness, and the hope of sunnier, warmer days as Spring quietly arrives.
Christine Duncan Chair, CIPO National
News:
Comings and Goings:
We are sad to say goodbye to our Administrative Assistant, Anna Riley. Anna who went on maternity leave in August will not be returning. Thank you Anna for all your hard work!
A very fond fairwell and happy retirement to long time APIQ President, Jacques Dagnault! Jacques spent many years as a CIPO board member as well as Quebec-sister chapter president. We wish him and his wife Louise all the best. APIQ Vice-President, and CIPO board member, Martine Allard will take Jacques’ place as APIQ President.
ER Medicine Initiative – Patient Wallet Cards NOW AVAILABLE!
As part of CIPO’s ER Medicine Initiative, CIPO has produced patient wallet cards. These cards are now available from CIPO, and will soon be available from your treating specialist. Email info@cipo.ca for more information. These cards are possible with thanks to our friends at Grifols.
Coronavirus Statement:
CIPO has received several inquiries in regards to the recent outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). We have released a statement and will continue to update. Read CIPO’s Statement
Events/Support 2020:
WPIW (World PI Week) April 22-29
CIPO will be featuring Patient Stories in our “Life of PI” campaign. If you are interested in being featured, please email info@cipo.ca
WPIW (World PI Week), Quebec
APIQ will be celebrating with a day at the sugar shack and patient testimonials!
Peer Support Program
CIPO now has Peer Support Coaches in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Atlantic regions and BC who are busy providing support to newly diagnosed patients and their families, as well as anyone needing a bit of extra support.
Training
We will be hosting a peer support coach training session this fall in Toronto. If you live in Ontario or Atlantic Canada and are interested in becoming a trained peer support coach, please send an email to erin.harder@cipo.ca to be put onto the interest list.
Patient Meet Ups
There are groups meeting in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and BC. Please reach out at our toll free number, 1-877-607-CIPO (2476) or send an email to erin.harder@cipo.ca to find out about a group in your area. This information will also be listed on our website under the events tab.
Notices
Call for Atlantic Volunteers CIPO is looking for volunteers who are interested in joining our Chapter Steering Committee for Atlantic Canada. This committee will help guide the direction of the chapter – in all areas of CIPO services: education, support and advocacy. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please email info@cipo.ca CIPO is an equal opportunities environment, and we strongly believe in diversity and inclusion.
CIPO is Hiring!
Administrative Assistant 10-12 hrs/week – $14,000 p.a. 1 year contract – “virtual” office – Greater Victoria Area preferred CIPO is currently seeking an experienced, highly-organized individual to support the day-today operations. Please see the complete job description on our website. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please email info@cipo.ca CIPO is an equal opportunities environment, and we strongly believe in diversity and inclusion.
We need your help. As a volunteer-run organization, we are always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering with CIPO, please contact us at info@cipo.ca
We need your support. As a patient organization we work for you. We are a patient organization made of patients and family members. To continue making a difference in the care and treatment of PI in Canada, we rely on donations from people like you. Every dollar counts. DONATE NOW! We hope you have enjoyed this online version of our newsletter. We value your feedback, so please tell us your thoughts. Thank you for your generous support. Without it we could not continue to do the work that is so needed in the PI community.
Sincerely,
Whitney Goulstone
Executive Director, CIPO National