2024 Webinar Series

About this Webinar: John Adams takes a dive behind the headlines, news stories and media releases to better understand any real threats to Canadian patients getting the prescription drugs they need.
About this Presenter: John is a seasoned management consultant, patient advocate and senior fellow of the Macdonald Laurier Institute, an Ottawa-based think tank, where he focuses on health issues.
John is a member of two advisory committees of Health Canada: the implementation advisory group for the Strategy for Drugs for Rare Disorders and the multi-stakeholder steering committee on Drug Shortages.
He has volunteered since 2017 as board chair of the Best Medicines Coalition, an alliance of 30 patient organizations in Canada. He is a former board chair of the Canadian Organization of Rare Disorders. He worked as a newspaper reporter, chief of staff to an Ontario Cabinet Minister, and was elected to Toronto City Council three times.
A founding trustee and board chair of the new Global Association for PKU (Phenylketonuria). He is also President of the Canadian PKU and Allied Disorders non-profit which he co-founded in 2008. He has an adult son with PKU, a rare genetic brain-threatening disorder, who benefited greatly from newborn screening, early intervention, lifelong therapy and an innovative, miracle drug. That son is a university graduate and urban firefighter.
John is the father of four adult children, grandfather to one and was primary caregiver to his wife who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. He lives in Toronto and enjoys winters and more in a second home overlooking the largest lake in Mexico.
About the Webinar: Learn about pancreatic cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, statistics, supports and barriers. The presentation will also include some helpful tools that can improve quality of life for those with pancreatic cancer, including the Craig’s Cause’s PERT (Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy) calculator and available patient support programs.
About the Presenter: Erin Ranger is the Patient Support Manager and Healthcare Manager with Craig’s Cause. Stefanie Condon-Oldrieve was unable to attend this webinar.

About this Webinar: The time between regulatory approval for new drugs and when drugs became publicly available to patients averaged 736 days (25 months) in 2022. This is double the average time reported in comparable Organisation for Economic Development (OECD) countries.  This webinar will highlight variations in drug listing time for new drugs across time, provinces, and type of drugs (oncology vs. non-oncology). It will also present the specific phases involved in moving a drug from approval stage to listing, and the time spent in each. This Conference Board of Canada analysis uses IQVIA’s Market Access Metrics Database (2012 to 2023), which tracks all new products and their indications through the Canadian access journey.

Read the study: Access and Time to Patient: Prescription Drugs in Canada—January 2024 – The Conference Board of Canada

About the Presenters: Chad Leaver, Director, Health

Chad Leaver is the Director of the Health Knowledge area and leads Value Based Health Care (VBHC) Canada. With roots in behavioural epidemiology and health services policy and research, Chad oversees multi-stakeholder, custom, and priority research initiatives. Prior to joining the Conference Board of Canada, Chad held multiple senior roles in applied research at Seneca College, Canada Health Infoway/ Inforoute Santé du Canada; and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (IC/ES). Chad holds an MSc in Community Health and Epidemiology from Dalhousie University and an MBA from Queen’s and Cornell Universities.

Sophiya Garasia, Senior Health Economist, Economic Research

Sophiya Garasia is an interdisciplinary researcher with training in health economics, health policy, health equity, and population health. At the Conference Board of Canada, Sophiya is involved in all stages of the research process from study design to data management, statistical analysis, and report writing. Prior to joining the Board, Sophiya completed her embedded postdoctoral fellowship with the University of Toronto and the Central West Ontario Health Team. Sophiya holds a PhD in Health Policy with a specialization in health economics from McMaster University and a Master of Public Health degree from University of Guelph.

View the Video: Here
View the Slides: Here

About the Webinar: Health technology assessment (HTA), the approval process for drugs and healthcare technology, the processes and organizations that support them, such as Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), have evolved over the years in response to changing healthcare system priorities and the need to establish their legitimacy. Don Husereau will provide an overview of current processes in Canada, and highlight their perceived (and real) shortcomings and what can be done to overcome these. He will highlight that some perceived weaknesses (such as review times) are not as bad as they appear while perceived strengths (such as stakeholder involvement) need considerable improvement. He will also discuss other opportunities for HTA to innovate and whether there are current plans to address these.

About the Presenter: DON HUSEREAU is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at The University of Ottawa. He does freelance health care research, and works with private and public sector life sciences organizations to help them understand the value of health technology and its implications for health and innovation policy.

View the Video: HERE

View the Slides: HERE

 

About this Webinar: Dr. Rob Rutledge returns for his first webinar of 2024 to discuss the basics behind emotional intelligence. Learn how to develop greater emotional awareness, and learn how to settle fear and frustration. Dr. Rutledge will also share tips on how to live in a more peaceful and connected way as you navigate through your cancer journey.

About the Presenters: Dr. Rob Rutledge is a Radiation Oncologist in Halifax, Nova Scotia, specializing in breast, prostate and pediatric cancers, and is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University. His passion is empowering people affected by cancer, and has delivered hundreds of public talks and webinars, along with over 60 retreats and day-long seminars to thousands of cancer survivors. Rob has received a Cancer Care Nova Scotia Award for Excellence in Patient Care, and Doctors Nova Scotia presented him with a Health Promotion Award in recognition of his contribution to physician health and health promotion in cancer patients. Rob co-leads CancerPEP a comprehensive six-month daily patient empowerment program starting in November. Visit CancerPEP.org to learn more.

Dr. Gabriela Ilie is the Endowed Chair in Cancer Quality of Life Research, and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University. Having taught 86 courses to over 25,000 students at the University of Toronto she is an expert in the Psychology of Emotions. She is the lead of the Research Lab pioneering Patient Empowerment Programs, a comprehensive home-based six-month daily health-promotion program

View the video: HERE.

View the slides: HERE.

About the Webinar: Alcohol is classified as a Group one carcinogen and is estimated to be one of the top thre causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Yet, over 40 per cent of people in Canada remain unaware that alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing at least nine cancers. In this presentation, we’ll look at what is and isn’t known about the relationship between alcohol and cancer. We’ll explore what the Canadian Cancer Society is doing to raise awareness of alcohol as a modifiable cancer risk factor, its commitment to funding world-leading research on this subject, and its advocacy for stronger policies that reduce, and increase awareness about the risk of cancer related to, alcohol consumption. Attendees will be invited to seek more information and/or take action on this important topic. We hope you’ll join us in learning more about cancer risk and alcohol — the most commonly used psychoactive substance in Canada.

About the Presenter: Ciana Van Dusen is the Advocacy Manager of Prevention and Early Detection at the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). She serendipitously stumbled into advocacy 10 years ago and is passionate about inspiring meaningful change to improve the wellbeing of those living across Canada and beyond. Prior to joining CCS, Ciana conducted public, government, and stakeholder relations, communications, and engagement in sectors including health, international cooperation, and agriculture and agrifoods. Ciana holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Wilfrid Laurier University.

View the Video: HERE

View the Slides: HERE

About the Webinar: Michelle Colero, Executive Director of Bladder Cancer Canada, will cover the essentials of bladder cancer facts and symptoms while also outlining the support and educational resources provided by Bladder Cancer Canada for those dealing with a diagnosis. Additionally, she’ll share ways individuals can contribute to raising awareness and supporting our community.

About the Presenter: Michelle Colero was not able to attend, and so the talk was delivered by Theresa Blondin. She has been the National Volunteer & Program Manager at Bladder Cancer Canada since 2021. Theresa brings over 20 years of involvement in the not-for-profit sector, both as a committed staff member and avid volunteer. Since 2016, Theresa has worked as a Volunteer Engagement Professional, empowering volunteers through their meaningful contributions to support those affected by cancer.

For more information about Bladder Cancer Canada, visit their website: https://bladdercancercanada.org/en/

View the Video: HERE.

View the Slides: HERE.

About this webinar: This talk will introduce what cancer rehabilitation is, where it fits into the cancer trajectory, and who can benefit from it. In addition, the current landscape of cancer rehabilitation in Canada will be discussed and the need for advocacy to increase access to this essential component of cancer care.

About this presenter: Dr. Jennifer Jones is the Director of the Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship Program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. In addition, she is a Senior Scientist in Princess Margaret Research Institute and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry (primary) and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (cross-appointment), at University of Toronto.

Dr. Jones’ most recent scholarly and professional activities have clustered around translational research to inform clinical survivorship care. This research platform specifically focuses on examining new approaches to predict, prevent and manage long-term adverse effects of cancer and its treatment and evaluating innovative models of follow-up care and support.

View the Video: HERE.

View the Slides: HERE.

About this Webinar: T-cells are part of the immune system that help fight infection and cancer. In recent years, several new advanced therapeutics have been introduced that attempt to harness the power of T-cells to fight cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a personalized cancer treatment that genetically modifies a patient’s T-cells to target specific tumor antigens. Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are engineered proteins that can simultaneously bind two different antigens, typically one on T-cells and another on cancer cells, to facilitate immune-mediated tumor cell destruction. While these therapies hold real promise, they are not without challenges. In this webinar, Don Husereau will provide an overview of the potential clinical impact for patients, as well as some of the current and future challenges in providing access to these therapies for patients.
About this presenter: DON HUSEREAU is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at The University of Ottawa. He does freelance health care research, and works with private and public sector life sciences organizations to help them understand the value of health technology and its implications for health and innovation policy.
View the Video: HERE.
About the Webinar: Kim Meeking will cover a brief introduction to terminology and healthcare history related to sexual and gender diverse (SGD) people. They will then examine the health inequalities related to SGD communities with a focus on cancer and share some experiences from the community. Lastly, Meeking will identify some inclusive care practices to improve experiences of SGD people navigating cancer care.
About the Presenter: Kim Meeking is the co-lead for Queering Cancer, a grassroots partnership aimed at improving cancer care for sexual and gender diverse (SGD) individuals. Kim is a radiation therapist with over 10 years of experience managing oncology clinical trials along with 5+ years in the non-profit sector. Kim holds a Masters in Clinical and Health Research, and their interests focus on fostering inclusivity in clinical trials and enhancing cancer care for SGD populations through community partnerships, rigorous research, and innovative knowledge translation.
View the Video: HERE.
About this Webinar: This talk will explore the differences and similarities between vaping and smoking in relation to lung health, including second-hand effects. This presentation will dive into the current research into the links between lung cancer and vaping, addressing the known and unknown risks and concerns. Panelists will discuss the importance of vaping cessation and youth prevention and how we can advocate to make sure that Canadians are protected from vaping and nicotine addiction.

About the presenters: HEATHER HOGAN (BA, BEd, MEd) is a retired teacher and school administrator from Woodstock, New Brunswick.

Having been diagnosed with Stage 3a Adenocarcinoma lung cancer in 2012, Heather knows first-hand the importance of access to potential life-saving treatments, early detection and research, advocacy and education and has worked with other patients, caregivers and stakeholders to create a community for those who have been affected by lung cancer.

Heather is currently a Patient Partner with the Lung Health Foundation, a Member of the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute Management Advisory Council and Research Committee and a member of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centers Network.

DR. RUUD VELDHUIZEN is an Associate Professor in Medicine and Physiology & Pharmacology at Western University, as well as a scientist at the Lawson Health Research Institute. Following his undergraduate studies in The Netherlands, Dr. Veldhuizen did PhD in Biochemistry at Western University.
With a general research interest in lung health and disease, research in Dr. Veldhuizen’s lab has focused on various lung diseases. The focus in these preclinical studies is to understand disease development and to develop new therapies. Current projects in the lab include the impact of aging and exercise on lung injury, and the impact of vaping on lung health.
JESS ROGERS is the Vice President of Programs, Research and Public Affairs at the Lung Health Foundation. She fosters, designs and executes both partnerships and large-scale projects at the local, regional, provincial and national levels. She has experience addressing the needs of policy makers, stakeholder organizations and providers across the health system with a focus on strategic planning, practical application of evidence and research methods, quality improvement, knowledge translation (co-design and meaningful engagement), health services planning and evaluation.
View the Video: HERE.
View the Slides: HERE.
As mentioned during the webinar, the Lung Health Foundation shared some important resources that you may find useful:
  1. Quash – If you are concerned about a family member vaping, you can learn more at https://bit.ly/20240925_Quash_QR.
  2. Smoke-free pledge – Join the movement to create a smoke-free generation by signing the pledge at https://bit.ly/20240925_SmokeFreeGen_QR.
  3. The Loop – A community network created by and for people touched by lung conditions. You can access resources, programs, and support all in one place at https://bit.ly/20240925_TheLoop_QR

About this Webinar: This session offers a holistic approach to managing cancer-related symptoms by focusing on key areas including exercise, nutrition, mental health, and sleep. Dr. Hannah Nette will provide practical strategies to help patients manage some of the most commonly reported challenges and participants will leave with actionable insights to improve their quality of life and well-being during cancer.

About the Presenter: Dr. Hannah Nette is a physician and the Director of Clinical Services at InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care, a non-profit organization in Vancouver BC offering free supportive care to cancer patients and their loved ones. For over 25 years, InspireHealth has provided programs and services to enhance the quality of life, health and well-being of cancer patients through one-on-one and group support including exercise therapy, stress management, nutrition and counselling services.

Dr. Nette has a passion for supportive care and the empowering impact it can make on a cancer patient’s physical and mental health & well-being. Through her work at InspireHealth, she has delivered hundreds of workshops and educational sessions to patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Visit InspireHealth.ca to learn more about the free and easily accessible survivorship support available to anyone with a cancer diagnosis, whether newly diagnosed, in treatment or living with or beyond cancer.

View the Video: HERE.

View the Slides: HERE.