Beat the February blahs with our online Trivia Night!
Gather your friends and family to play as a team, or play alone. It’s a relaxed, fun way to connect and have a few laughs from your own home. Who cares about the weather?
We’re offering three dates and times to help accommodate different time zones across the country. The games will be the same each time, so just choose one evening please.
• February 12 at 7:00 p.m. EST
• February 19 at 8:00 p.m. EST
• February 26 at 9:00 p.m. EST
Each session includes three general knowledge trivia games using the Kahoot platform. The questions are light and fun, and no trivia experience is needed. Winners of each game will receive a $25 Tim Hortons gift card.
What you need to play:
• One device (laptop, computer, or tablet) to join the Zoom session and view the questions.
• Second device (your mobile phone) to submit answers through www.kahoot.it. No Kahoot account is required, you’ll get a PIN to enter the game during the Zoom session.
Participation is free, but you need to register (Use links above.) You’ll receive a Zoom link and simple instructions to join the game. It’s a great way to connect, engage, and enjoy a fun night in this winter!
Events
Happening Soon
Feb
12
1 PM to 2:15 PM CDT, in-person, online video to follow
Travel insurance 101: What to know when you have PF
Feb
12
7 PM to 8 PM EST
Beat the Winter Blues with Online Trivia Nights!
Feb
17
3 PM to 4 PM EST
National Patient Support Group
Feb
19
8 PM to 9 PM EST
Beat the Winter Blues with Online Trivia Nights!
Feb
23
7 PM to 8 PM EST
National Caregiver Support Group
Feb
26
9 PM to 10 PM EST
Beat the Winter Blues with Online Trivia Nights!
Mar
2
7 PM to 8 PM EST
National Caregiver Support Group
Mar
2
7 PM to 8 PM EST
Groupe de soutien national virtuel en français
Mar
3
3 PM to 4 PM EST
National Patient Support Group
Mar
3
7 PM to 8 PM EST
National Patient Support Group
Recent changes to the CPFF Board of Directors
Every member of the Board of Directors of Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF) is a volunteer, sharing their experience and knowledge to ensure the organization is financially healthy and effectively delivering its mission.
“I’m deeply appreciative of the time, thoughtfulness, and care our Board members bring to this essential work,” says CPFF CEO Sharon Lee.
Most of our Board members have a personal connection to the disease, having friends or family members with PF, or who have passed away from it. Some Board members live with pulmonary fibrosis.
CPFF Mission
We improve the lives of Canadians living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) by providing compassionate support, leading advocacy, raising awareness, funding research, and inspiring hope.
Recent changes
Our new Board Chair Mark Ashcroft is a PF patient, who received a double lung transplant. He also lost his 41-year-old brother to the disease in 1997. He knows what you are experiencing.
Waldo Maticorena has taken on the role of Treasurer.
Elizabeth (Liz) Beemer and Andrew Peel have joined the Board.
Verity Pringle (former Treasurer) and Derek Mastin have completed their terms on the Board. At the January 2026 Board meeting they were both thanked for their dedicated service and meaningful contributions. Their impact will continue to be felt.
Past Chair Todd Georgieff was also thanked for his leadership during his two-year term as Board Chair. He will continue to serve on the Board, providing valued continuity. Read about all 11 of our current Board members, their backgrounds, areas of expertise, and their personal connections to PF.
Educational event and video
Travel insurance 101: What to know when you have PF
Travel can still be part of life when you’re living with a chronic lung disease, but it comes with extra questions, especially when it comes to insurance. What’s actually covered? What happens if something goes wrong while you’re away? And how do you avoid unpleasant (and expensive) surprises?
You’ll learn:
- The basics of travel insurance and what you really need to understand before you go.
- Important do’s and don’ts if you have a medical emergency while traveling.
- Common pitfalls to watch out for, and how to avoid them.
This educational session will take place in-person in Winnipeg on February 12 and will be recorded and shared in the CPFF video library a few weeks after the event.
For more information, visit the event listing.
Patient and Caregiver Stories
Turning loss into purpose
When Harprit Boiteux’s mother Harvinder Barha was diagnosed with IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) in 2011, her daughter had never heard of the disease. She thought with the right treatment, her mother would recover. After all, she was only 64.
Time and distance created unique challenges
Harprit’s immediate family – her parents, brother, sister-in-law and nephew – all lived together in Nairobi, Kenya, where Harprit was born and raised. Harprit and her husband Pierre and their two young children lived in Ottawa. Her mother’s siblings also lived in Ottawa and Montreal.
“Before my Mum got sick, we would call one another every week,” says Harprit. “We’d travel to Kenya every couple of years and my Mum would visit Ottawa.”
In 2011, there were no anti-fibrotic medications, either in Canada or Kenya. After she was diagnosed, following a bout of pneumonia, Harvinder was treated with prednisone. Eventually she was taking a large number of medications, some needed to deal with the effects of long-term steroid use.
The Joly family’s journey with PF
Dive into the inspiring journey of the Joly family as they navigate their mother Carol’s rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary fibrosis conditions. Witness Carol’s incredible spirit, from winning an Army Run at 72 to facing the challenges of declining health. This is a story of family, love, and the power of making every breath count.
A conversation about PF with Chris Sadleir
On July 23, 2016, Chris Sadleir’s father Rob, who was living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), had a double lung transplant. Thanks to this procedure, he is still with us today and is in his 70s.
Chris looks to increase awareness of PF and to further public conversation about the disease. Tune in to this conversation about PF featuring Chris in honour of his dad.
Executive Assistant/Office Coordinator joins CPFF staff
Simarpreet (Simm) Kaur recently joined the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF) as Executive Assistant/Office Coordinator. She will report to Sharon Lee, CEO of CPFF.
Simm brings several years of experience in high-level executive support, governance coordination, and administrative operations within nonprofit and association environments. She will support the CEO, the Board of Directors and collaborate with other CPFF team members to ensure project deadlines are met.
Please join CEO Sharon Lee and the rest of the CPFF team in welcoming Simm to the organization. “I know she will be a valuable addition to the efficient delivery of our mission,” says Lee.
“I’d also like to thank my former EA, Shelly Monaghan for her dedicated service and wish her all the best during her retirement,” said Lee.
February 28 is Rare Disease Day
Around the world, individuals and organizations will be raising awareness and generating change for the 300 million people living with a rare disease, their families and carers. Pulmonary fibrosis is a rare disease.
CPFF will launch its Rare Disease Campaign on February 28 and run it throughout March. You can help make a difference in the lives of those living with PF during our campaign, focused on equitable access to oxygen. Watch for the social media posts and read our next issue on March 4 for more details.
Get involved.
Featured Videos
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