VFC 2024 Annual Fall Lectures returns in-person, and on ZOOM Saturday, November 9, 2024!
Join us in-person** or simultaneously on ZOOM!
Patient education is a critical part of the VFC mission. With your participation, we continue to help improve your care, we’ll find new ways to control your vasculitis, and together we will find the cause, and the ultimately the cure. For those attending in-person see waiver and release below**.
We know vasculitis patients have lots of questions🤔 about their vasculitis. This fall you’ll have time to get answers😌 to those questions as each lecture has time for Q&A.
VFC members attend all VFC Lectures for free! Most of us renew our memberships at this time of year. You can renew your membership, or become a new member, at time of registration for the Fall Lectures for the annual fee of just $20.
Register Here
If your membership is current, register for any lecture for free! We request everyone else to pay $20.00 for a one year VFC membership at time of registration to attend all lectures, and to vote on VFC matters. Your membership helps sustain your VFC by supporting our programs and core expenses.
VFC offers FREE membership for those who need VFC resources, but are unable to pay. We want vasculitis patients to join us regardless of their ability to pay for a membership.
Questions on your membership status? Email us at: [email protected]
If able, you can also make a donation to VFC, with an instant tax receipt by email, to help us, help you!
Save the date, bring your questions, and join us this fall!
On behalf of the Board, we look forward to seeing all of you in-person or via ZOOM on Saturday, November 9, 2024**.
Keep well and stay safe😷.
Jon Stewart
President
Although subject to change, this Fall’s speakers and the proposed program will be as follows:
Saturday, November 9, 2024 10AM to 3PM ET
10:00AM – 10:35AM ET: James Fireman HBA, LL.B – Toronto, ON Disability 101 in Canada! We don’t talk about this topic enough, but for many, or even most, vasculitis patients will experience short-term or sadly even long-term disability (LTD & STD). James is a seasoned pro in disability law and is well equipped to offer advice, and answer your disability concerns and questions.
10:35AM – 11:10AM ET: Dr. Michael Mak – Toronto, ON – Via ZOOM Dr. Mak specializes in adult psychiatry at CAMH in Toronto and understands the problem of disrupted sleep from prednisone, and the feeling of fatigue which are common complaints within the vasculitis community. He also understands the mental burden of coping with autoimmune diseases, and can offer practical tips to help deal with the mental impact of vasculitis.
11:10AM – 11:45AM ET: Dr. Christian Pagnoux – Toronto, ON..Dr. Pagnoux will update us on new treatments for ANCA Associated Vasculitis (GPA, MPA & EGPA), avacopan/tavneous, new CAR-T cell research, and optimization of outcomes including the vitamin D study results and Bactrim/Septra.
11:45AM – 12:20PM ET: Dr. Mohammad Hashim Khan – Toronto, ON. Dr. Khan is a Respirologist and will talk about vasculitis and your lungs. What are the early warning signs of lung involvement and how does vasculitis affect your lungs. What treatment options are available for affected lungs, and what do they do in cases for patients with severe lung involvement?
12:20PM – 1:05PM ET: LUNCH BREAK (on your own)
1:05PM – 1:45PM ET: Dr. Katherine Siminovitch – Toronto, ON Dr. Siminovitch will give us another progress report on her vasculitis genetics research, and GPA/MPA in particular. It is amazing how much her research has advanced since those first DNA collections in the spring of 2001 which now supports a separate genetic classification for GPA, and MPA.
1:45PM – 2:25PM ET: Dr. Mats Junek – Hamilton, ON The PEXIVAS study keeps on delivering new findings including new data on relapses, and on fast versus slow steriod tapering, which is still a big issue. And, COVID is still here! So, of course, it’s time for another COVID update!
2:25PM – 3:00PM ET Dr. Jean-Paul Makhzoum – Montreal, PQ – Via ZOOM It’s time for a complete review of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), from its beginnings to now! GCA affects more vasculitis patients than any other form of vasculitis and it peaks in senior years, often with devastating consequences. GCA is one of Dr. Makhzoum’s areas of key interest and study, and he’ll give us a complete overview from presentation, to classification, to diagnosis with labs, CT, PET,US, and biopsy. He’ll also discuss current treatment, GCA studies, and a new medication called Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor already FDA approved for GCA, and which is already used in other rheumatic conditions.
**VFC Waiver and Release for all participants
I understand that by choosing to participate in the Vasculitis Foundation Canada/Fondation Vasculites Canada 2024 Fall Lectures there may be inherent risks and dangers by participating in this event. I agree to assume these risks and release and hold harmless VFC, and their officers, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, agents, and other officials.
I am aware that this is a RELEASE OF LIABILITY and a contract between me and the persons and entities mentioned above which I accept of my own free will. If I am under 18 years of age at the time of registration, my parent or legal guardian has reviewed this Waiver and Release, and understands and consents to its terms, and authorizes my participation.
Get a vasculitis “tune up” and get your questions 🤔 answered from those who know the world of vasculitis.