Hello CSPA friends, affiliates, supporters and Board members, 

We are extremely pleased to announce that the CSPA has been chosen by the CDA Membership and Awards Committee to receive the CDA 2010 Public Education Award for its website - www.skinpatientalliance.ca now conveniently found at www.canadianskin.ca and www.apropeau.ca.  "The Committee was very impressed with the CSPA's website and found it to be an excellent resource for patients and physicians. The site has credible unbiased information about many skin diseases and encourages support among patients with similar skin diseases." (quoted from the notice of award letter sent to the CSPA President on May 3^rd).

This website has been a work in progress and has involved a great many people. Kudos go to the original website development team who met to design the site, lead by the very superb consultant Kirsten Hall.  The original web team included Charles Jago, Dr. Harvey Lui, Kathy Barnard, Preet Bhogal, Karen Burke, Paul Francois Bourgault and myself. Since then many hands and minds have provided valuable input. Our web team in BC, Media FX under the direction of Ron Jacklin have played a major role in designing the site and keeping it going. They are now helping us with the integration and development of our adjunct social networking sites, www.skinergy.ca and www.peaussibilites.ca.

Also, for those of you who haven't heard, we have launched the first issue of our new quarterly magazine, Canadian Skin (English version) and À propeau (French version). You can interactively browse the online version of the first issue: http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=35870&pre=1 in either language. Check out our website quarterly for the online version of each new issue. Over 42,000 glossy copies of this first issue are are being distributed nationwide to dermatologists offices and family doctor's offices. The second one, which we're working on now, features articles on sun safety, vitiligo, psoriasis, eczema, shingles, fungus as well as tips for first aid and sleep and a call to action on the shortage of dermatologists issue.

Thanks for all of your support. The CSPA is growing with fabulous support from individuals and organizations and groups of people, all of whom share a vision of a better life for those grappling with skin disease.

Congratulations to all - we are making a difference and it is so lovely to have it recognized!

Best,

Christine Jackson
Executive Director
Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
2446 Bank Street, Suite 383
Ottawa, ON K1V 1V8

New toll free number: 1-877-505-CSPA (2772)