Overview
The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA) is dedicated to providing education and information to Canadian skin patients and their families along with health-care providers and decision-makers.
It’s important for skin patients and their families to have access to the most up-to-date information on their condition or disease. As a crucial member of your care team, you’ll want to be on the cutting edge so you can have informed discussions with your health-care professionals and get the best possible outcomes.
Internet-based Information
The main website presents the latest on specific skin diseases and conditions as well as links to support and awareness-raising groups. You’ll also find information on clinical trials and useful tools for helping you manage your condition.
If you prefer a more interactive approach you can share your experiences and benefit from the experiences of others at www.skinergy.ca. Based on the latest in social networking software, skinergy.ca is a private and safe site where those with skin conditions, diseases and traumas can connect with others and share information and support. It’s easy to join in and it’s free!
With a large number of Canadians dealing with the challenges of psoriasis, the CSPA focused on providing deeper and broader information on this particular condition when it created Psoriasis Community Canada (PCC) www.psoriasiscommunity.ca. If you or someone you’re close to has psoriasis, this site is a wealth of clinical information, first-person stories, and lots of tips for coping. And a place where you can sign up for a quarterly PCC newsletter. Check it out!
In 2012, the CSPA will distribute an e-newsletter. It’s full of interesting skin-health news, tips, and the latest in research, as well as news on how the CSPA is working to help Canadian skin patients like you. It’s easy to sign-up.
Print Resources 
We are extremely excited to have launched Canadian Skin magazine in early 2010. Given that there are thousands of skin conditions and diseases, it’s impossible to cover everything. But we’re hoping that the four issues we produce each year will give you information you can use to help you with your skin condition or those of your loved ones. Each issue is posted online. You can also have Canadian Skin delivered to your home by filling out a subscription form.
Onsite Events
At the CSPA, we know there are times when electronic sources just can’t take the place of face-to-face contact. So, whenever possible, we like to get out there and meet skin patients—wherever they may be.
Each year, the CSPA presents a series of very popular, very informative educational psoriasis events in cities all across Canada. And starting in 2012, we’ll be holding a biannual conference. The first one will be held in Toronto. We’d love to see you there!
Media Campaigns
We regularly work with all of our partners to raise public awareness about the issues facing skin patients. Recent media campaigns and coverage have included the following topics:
- skin cancers
- sun awareness
- access to dermatologists
- when to consult a dermatologist
- the psycho-social impact of skin diseases
- actinic keratosis
- a report card on the state of dermatologic care in Canada