How to Be More Relaxed Building Up to Your First Big Race

Planning to compete in a race is an exciting, enthralling experience; however, you're also likely feeling a bit nervous, especially since it's your first time. While a little bit of nervous anticipation can help drive you to success, you also do not want to become overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. Employing some relaxing strategies can help you to take it easy.

Turn to Meditative Practices

Learning how to meditate or engage in similar activities can assist you in staying grounded, focused and calm. Whether you choose a secular meditation class, a private meditation at home or prayer at a house of worship, these practices allow you to connect with yourself and with a greater good. Consider starting off your day with meditation or prayer to begin the morning in a relaxed state. As you get close to race day, consider when you might have a moment to meditate before putting on your running shoes.

Maintain a Schedule

When race day is rapidly approaching, you might want to spend every waking moment preparing for the competition. However, constantly thinking about the race isn't healthy. While it's true that you may need to increase your training, you need to keep your schedule open for other activities as well. For example, you should still go to work, engage in your other hobbies and socialize with loved ones. You need to keep a healthy balance in order to decompress and avoid filling your mind with only thoughts of the race.

Adjust Your Intake

In order to determine precisely how you should adjust your food and liquid intake before a race, you need to speak with a medical professional. People have different needs based on their bodies, schedules and other factors. You might, for example, learn that taking full spectrum CBD gummies can help you to stay calm as the race approaches. These types of gummies often improve sleep, help calm nerves, and can ease anxiety when taken on a regular basis. On the other hand, you may discover that certain foods that you're consuming regularly are leading to an increase in anxiety.

Express Your Fears

Working to minimize stress is important and useful, but you also cannot simply deny the way that you are feeling. Expressing your worries and concerns is a healthy practice, and you can accomplish this goal in a number of ways. You may want to write or draw what you are feeling. If you find that the anxiety is taking over your life, consider speaking with a therapist.

Allow yourself to feel excitement about your first big race. However, do not ignore the feelings of worry and anxiety that you have. Address these emotions as well.

First new treatment for Alzheimer's disease approved in nearly two decades offers hope for people living with dementia

Alzheimer Society of Canada calls for more investment in dementia research

TORONTO, June 7, 2021 /CNW/ - The Alzheimer Society of Canada is hopeful about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of aducanumab, a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease. This news represents an important step forward for people living with Alzheimer's disease. The FDA requires that Biogen complete an additional clinical trial to verify the drug's benefit. If the trial fails to verify the clinical benefit, the FDA may initiate proceedings to withdraw approval. For aducanumab to be available in Canada, the drug will require regulatory approval by Health Canada to ensure its safety and efficacy. The Alzheimer Society of Canada is urging Health Canada to complete its required reviews swiftly, while maintaining the highest safety standards, so that aducanumab can be made available as quickly as possible to people living with dementia in Canada. 

While this approval is encouraging, aducanumab is not suitable for all people at all stages of dementia. The drug may slow the decline in cognitive skills and functional ability in people living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Aducanumab is reported to work by clearing harmful amyloid beta that builds up in the brain, which is thought to result in Alzheimer's disease. 

"Over the next 10 years, we anticipate that more than one million people in Canada will be living with dementia. The approval of aducanumab underscores how investing in research can lead to better treatment options, but the drug is just one treatment," says Dr. Saskia Sivananthan, Chief Science Officer, Alzheimer Society of Canada. "Research for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is significantly under-funded when compared to other diseases. There is an urgent need to invest in dementia research to provide people living with the disease new and better treatments. Most importantly, research investment is crucial to finding cures for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias."

The Alzheimer Society of Canada is committed to funding innovative dementia research focused on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and finding cures for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. To learn more, visit www.alzheimer.ca.

About the Alzheimer Society

The Alzheimer Society is Canada's leading nationwide health charity for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Active in communities across Canada, the Society provides information, programs and services to those living with a diagnosis and their caregivers. The Alzheimer Society Research Program is Canada's leading funder of research into better understanding the causes of dementia, improving treatment and care, and towards finding cures. 

SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Canada

Celltrion Healthcare launches Remsima™ SC, the world's first subcutaneous formulation of infliximab in Canada, for the treatment of people with rheumatoid arthritis

• Remsima™ SC offers an innovative treatment option for patients living with chronic inflammatory conditions in Canada
• Remsima™ SC is supported by the CELLTRION CONNECT™ Patient Support Program 
• Celltrion Healthcare Canada Limited aims to expand access to innovative and high-quality biologics 

TORONTO, June 7, 2021 /CNW/ - Celltrion Healthcare Canada Limited announced today the launch of Remsima™ SC (CT-P13 SC), the world's first subcutaneous formulation of infliximab in Canada for the treatment of adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Health Canada granted a notice of compliance (NOC) for Remsima™ SC in Canada for the treatment of adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on January 28.¹

"We are delighted to be able to launch Remsima™ SC today and to bring the first and only subcutaneous form of infliximab to patients, payers and clinicians in Canada," said Jovan Antunovic, Commercial Director at Celltrion Healthcare Canada. "Our team is strong, growing and proud that Remsima™ SC will be the first product to be commercially available in the Canadian market under our new direct sales marketing strategy and is supported by the comprehensive CELLTRION CONNECT™ patient support program. We will continue to enhance our presence in Canada by collaborating with the different stakeholders to support the company's growth strategy." 

Remsima™ SC is commercially available in Canada in 120 mg fixed dose as a pre-filled pen (auto-injector) and is administered as a bi-weekly subcutaneous injection. It is approved in Canada for use in combination with methotrexate for the reduction in signs and symptoms, inhibition of the progression of structural damage and improvement in physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis and should be used as maintenance therapy after the completion of an induction period with intravenous infliximab.² 

"Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can lead to irreparable joint destruction if not properly treated," said Professor Edward Keystone, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. "Having a subcutaneous formulation of infliximab means patients can have a more flexible dosing schedule and control on how they receive their treatment."

The approval was based on clinical evidence including results from a study that showed switching people with RA from the intravenous (IV) formulation to the SC formulation of CT-P13 treatment at Week 30 was comparable to maintaining CT-P13 SC up to Week 54 (up to Week 64 for safety profile).^2,3

Notes to Editors:

About CELLTRION CONNECT™ Patient Support Program

CELLTRION CONNECT™ patient support program is designed to support patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers with access to Remsima™ SC. Interested individuals can find out more about CELLTRION CONNECT™ by visiting www.celltrionconnect.ca/

About CT-P13 (biosimilar infliximab)^{4, 5, 6}

CT-P13 is developed and manufactured by Celltrion, Inc. and was the world's first monoclonal antibody biosimilar approved by the European Commission (EC). It is indicated for the treatment of eight autoimmune diseases including RA and IBD. It was approved by the EC under the trade name Remsima^® in September 2013 and launched in major EU countries in early 2015. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved CT-P13 in April 2016 under the trade name Inflectra^®. CT-P13 is approved in more than 94 countries (as of June 2021) including the US, Canada, Japan and throughout Europe.

CT-P13 IV is usually given as 3 mg per kg/body weight in RA and as 5 mg per kg/body weight for the other indications. Infliximab IV is given as an infusion over two hours. All patients are monitored for any reactions during the infusion and for at least one to two hours afterwards. The subcutaneous (SC) formulation has the potential to enhance treatment options for the use of infliximab biosimilar by providing high consistency in drug exposure and a convenient method of administration.

CT-P13 SC has received EU marketing authorization for the treatment of people with RA and IBD in November 2019 and July 2020, respectively. In the United States, Remsima^® SC will be reviewed through the new drug pathway by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the outcome expected by 2022.

About Celltrion Healthcare 

Celltrion Healthcare is committed to delivering innovative and affordable medications to promote patients' access to advanced therapies. Its products are manufactured at state-of-the-art mammalian cell culture facilities, designed and built to comply with the U.S. FDA cGMP and the EU GMP guidelines. Celltrion Healthcare endeavours to offer high-quality cost-effective solutions through an extensive global network that spans more than 110 different countries. For more information, please visit: https://www.celltrionhealthcare.com/en-us

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/celltrion-healthcare-canada-ltd/

SOURCE Celltrion Healthcare

Health Canada Approves AbbVie's RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) for the Treatment of Adults with Active Psoriatic Arthritis

• Approval supported by efficacy and safety data of two pivotal Phase 3 studies in which RINVOQ demonstrated improved joint outcomes, physical function and skin symptoms, with a greater proportion of patients achieving minimal disease activity versus placebo* ^1,2
• Significantly more patients taking RINVOQ achieved an ACR20 response than patients receiving placebo ^1,2

MONTREAL, June 7, 2021 /CNW/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that Health Canada has approved RINVOQ^® (upadacitinib, 15 mg), an oral, once-daily selective and reversible JAK inhibitor for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate or other Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs).³

"Psoriatic arthritis is a debilitating disease that can cause severe pain, restricted mobility, and lasting structural damage.^{4, 5} The immune system creates inflammation that can lead to skin lesions associated with psoriasis, as well as pain, fatigue and stiffness in the joints," ^6,7 said Dr. Proton Rahman, FRCPC, Clinical Rheumatologist at Eastern Health and University Research Professor at Memorial University.  "Despite treatment advances, some people living with PsA do not achieve their treatment goals, which is why access to new therapies is so critical. The approval of RINVOQ offers Canadian physicians and their patients an important new therapeutic option."

"I have had psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis for more than 30 years. At one point, most of my body was covered in psoriasis, and I was using arm and leg braces to help me walk. These diseases have had a huge impact on my life, which is why I am so pleased that Canadians with psoriatic arthritis now have a new treatment option available to them," said Marilyn Porth, of Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

This approval is supported by data from two Phase 3 studies across a broad range of more than 2,000 patients with active psoriatic arthritis.^1,2 In both studies, RINVOQ met the primary endpoint of ACR20 response at week 12 versus placebo.^1,2RINVOQ 15 mg also achieved non-inferiority versus adalimumab in terms of ACR20 response at week 12.¹ Patients receiving RINVOQ also experienced greater improvements in physical function (HAQ-DI*) and skin symptoms (PASI 75*), and a greater proportion achieved minimal disease activity.^1,2 Overall, the safety profile of RINVOQ in psoriatic arthritis was consistent with previously reported results across the Phase 3 rheumatoid arthritis clinical trial program, with no new significant safety risks detected.^1,2,8

"The approval of RINVOQ is wonderful news for Canadians living with psoriatic arthritis, and an important step forward for the psoriatic arthritis community," says Wendy Gerhart, Executive Director, Canadian Spondylitis Association. "From our recent member surveys, we know this devastating disease has a profound impact on people's quality of life including their physical and mental health. This approval provides a new treatment option to Canadian patients. It is a hopeful time for people living with psoriatic arthritis."

"For more than 20 years, AbbVie has been dedicated to discovering and delivering innovative therapies for people living with rheumatic diseases," added Tracey Ramsay, Vice President and General Manager, AbbVie Canada. "We are proud of our deep heritage in rheumatology and pleased to expand our portfolio of treatment options for Canadians living with psoriatic arthritis, particularly by offering people the convenience of a once-daily oral medication."

*Physical function was measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Skin symptoms were measured by a 75 percent improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75). Minimal disease activity is defined as the fulfillment of five of seven outcome measures: Tender joint count ≤1; swollen joint count ≤1; PASI ≤1 or body surface area-psoriasis ≤3 percent; Patient's Assessment of Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) ≤1.5; Patient Global Assessment-Disease Activity NRS ≤2.0; HAQ-DI score ≤0.5; and Leeds Enthesitis Index ≤1.

About SELECT-PsA 1 ^1,3

SELECT-PsA 1 is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active and placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib compared to placebo and adalimumab in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis who have a history of inadequate response to at least one non-biologic DMARD. 

Top-line results from SELECT-PsA 1 were previously announced in February 2020. More information on this trial can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03104400).

About SELECT-PsA 2 ^2,3

SELECT-PsA 2 is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RINVOQ in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis who have a history of inadequate response to at least one biologic DMARD. 

Top-line results from SELECT-PsA 2 were previously announced in October 2019. More information on this trial can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03104374).

About RINVOQ^®(upadacitinib) 

RINVOQ is a 15 mg, once-daily oral medication in an extended-release tablet. It is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that interferes with the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, which is thought to play a role in inflammatory response.

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate, as well as for adults with active psoriatic arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate or other DMARDs. In RA, RINVOQ may be used as a monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other nonbiologic DMARDs. In PsA, RINVOQ may be used as a monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate. 

For important safety information, please consult the RINVOQ Product Monograph at www.abbvie.ca.

About AbbVie in Rheumatology 

For more than 20 years, AbbVie has been dedicated to improving care for people living with rheumatic diseases. Our longstanding commitment to discovering and delivering innovative therapies is underscored by our pursuit of cutting-edge science that improves our understanding of promising new pathways and targets in order to help more people living with rheumatic diseases reach their treatment goals. 

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.ca. Follow @abbviecanada on Twitter or find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

SOURCE AbbVie Canada

On World Oceans Day, Oceana Canada calls on Feds to Put Wild Fish First in Developing a Blue Economy Strategy

Only ¼ of our Fisheries are Healthy; 97% of Canadians Want the Government to Rebuild Them

TORONTO, June 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the eve of World Oceans Day, new polling¹ released today from Oceana Canada finds that an overwhelming majority of Canadians care deeply about healthy oceans and protecting wild fish populations: 97 per cent say it is important that the Canadian government work to rebuild fish populations to healthy levels, and 95 per cent of all Canadians — 99 per cent of Atlantic Canadians — say it is an important part of our post-pandemic economic recovery.

Canada has not kept pace with progressive fishing nations in correcting the historic mistake of overfishing by allowing fish populations to rebuild, thus creating healthier ecosystems, more jobs, food and income, and opportunities to practice cultural traditions. However, right now, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix this. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is asking for input before June 15, 2021, to help shape its Blue Economy Strategy that aims to make the oceans healthy and prosperous as part of Canada’s plan to ‘build back better’ from the economic and social havoc wreaked by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In the face of the global pandemic and environmental threats from climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction, the need to protect and restore our oceans has never been more urgent. However, most of the historically bountiful wild fish populations we have relied on for food, jobs, income, culture and recreation have been collapsed for decades or are declining due to overfishing and mismanagement. Only a quarter of Canada’s fisheries are healthy.

“The original foundation of Canada’s ‘blue economy’ has always been our most plentiful and naturally renewing resource: wild fish – which today support the largest job, income and revenue-generating sector within Canada’s ocean-based economy,” said Josh Laughren, Executive Director, Oceana Canada. “Rebuilding fish to healthy, abundant levels must be central to any blue economy strategy, for our oceans and for all the people that rely on them.”

“For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Canada can be a leader with a regenerative blue economy strategy that is the envy of the world, but only if it prioritizes our oceans’ most renewable resource. Without wild fish, there is no blue economy,” said Laughren. “We urge the many Canadians who care so passionately about this issue to join us and call on the government to deliver on its promise to rebuild Canada’s once world-class fisheries, which we have systematically depleted over the past century, for the sake of all those who rely on it today and as a moral obligation to future generations,” said Laughren.

“The good news is that the government already knows what to do,” added Laughren, “It needs to fulfill its mandate commitments to ensure healthy fisheries, using an ecosystem-based approach that prioritizes the long-term health of the ocean. Specifically, this includes implementing strong Fisheries Act regulations that require quality rebuilding plans with timelines and targets for rebuilding.”

Oceana Canada is asking Canadians to call on the government this World Oceans Day to step up to protect our oceans and our economy by signing its petition before the government’s Blue Economy Strategy submission deadline of June 15, 2021.

Contacts: Tammy Thorne, Oceana Canada, tthorne@oceana.ca, 437-247-0954 and Kathleen Munro, Pilot PRM, kathleen.munro@pilotpmr.com, 902-789-3165

Oceana Canada was established as an independent charity in 2015 and is part of the largest international advocacy group dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana Canada has successfully campaigned to end the shark fin trade, make rebuilding depleted fish populations the law, improve the way fisheries are managed and protect marine habitat. We work with civil society, academics, fishers, Indigenous Peoples and the federal government to return Canada’s formerly vibrant oceans to health and abundance. By restoring Canada’s oceans, we can strengthen our communities, reap greater economic and nutritional benefits and protect our future.

CORRECTING and REPLACING - On World Oceans Day, Oceana Canada calls on Feds to Put Wild Fish First in Developing a Blue Economy Strategy

Only ¼ of our Fisheries are Healthy; 97% of Canadians Want the Government to Rebuild Them

TORONTO, June 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued under the same headline earlier today by Oceana Canada, please note the "petition" link just above the contact section has been updated. The corrected release follows:

On the eve of World Oceans Day, new polling¹ released today from Oceana Canada finds that an overwhelming majority of Canadians care deeply about healthy oceans and protecting wild fish populations: 97 per cent say it is important that the Canadian government work to rebuild fish populations to healthy levels, and 95 per cent of all Canadians — 99 per cent of Atlantic Canadians — say it is an important part of our post-pandemic economic recovery.

Canada has not kept pace with progressive fishing nations in correcting the historic mistake of overfishing by allowing fish populations to rebuild, thus creating healthier ecosystems, more jobs, food and income, and opportunities to practice cultural traditions. However, right now, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix this. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is asking for input before June 15, 2021, to help shape its Blue Economy Strategy that aims to make the oceans healthy and prosperous as part of Canada’s plan to ‘build back better’ from the economic and social havoc wreaked by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In the face of the global pandemic and environmental threats from climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction, the need to protect and restore our oceans has never been more urgent. However, most of the historically bountiful wild fish populations we have relied on for food, jobs, income, culture and recreation have been collapsed for decades or are declining due to overfishing and mismanagement. Only a quarter of Canada’s fisheries are healthy.

“The original foundation of Canada’s ‘blue economy’ has always been our most plentiful and naturally renewing resource: wild fish – which today support the largest job, income and revenue-generating sector within Canada’s ocean-based economy,” said Josh Laughren, Executive Director, Oceana Canada. “Rebuilding fish to healthy, abundant levels must be central to any blue economy strategy, for our oceans and for all the people that rely on them.”

“For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Canada can be a leader with a regenerative blue economy strategy that is the envy of the world, but only if it prioritizes our oceans’ most renewable resource. Without wild fish, there is no blue economy,” said Laughren. “We urge the many Canadians who care so passionately about this issue to join us and call on the government to deliver on its promise to rebuild Canada’s once world-class fisheries, which we have systematically depleted over the past century, for the sake of all those who rely on it today and as a moral obligation to future generations,” said Laughren.

“The good news is that the government already knows what to do,” added Laughren, “It needs to fulfill its mandate commitments to ensure healthy fisheries, using an ecosystem-based approach that prioritizes the long-term health of the ocean. Specifically, this includes implementing strong Fisheries Act regulations that require quality rebuilding plans with timelines and targets for rebuilding.”

Oceana Canada is asking Canadians to call on the government this World Oceans Day to step up to protect our oceans and our economy by signing its petition before the government’s Blue Economy Strategy submission deadline of June 15, 2021.

Contacts: Tammy Thorne, Oceana Canada, tthorne@oceana.ca, 437-247-0954 and Kathleen Munro, Pilot PRM, kathleen.munro@pilotpmr.com, 902-789-3165

Oceana Canada was established as an independent charity in 2015 and is part of the largest international advocacy group dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana Canada has successfully campaigned to end the shark fin trade, make rebuilding depleted fish populations the law, improve the way fisheries are managed and protect marine habitat. We work with civil society, academics, fishers, Indigenous Peoples and the federal government to return Canada’s formerly vibrant oceans to health and abundance. By restoring Canada’s oceans, we can strengthen our communities, reap greater economic and nutritional benefits and protect our future.

Alzheimer Society calls for greater protection for people with dementia living at home

Vaccine supply now allows for higher-risk populations, including people living with dementia, to be fully vaccinated at or close to the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

TORONTO, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Newly-updated data from Statistics Canada shows that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia continue to be the most common comorbidity associated with deaths due to Covid-19. Last year 41% of women and 36% of all Canadians who died with Covid-19 had a diagnosis of dementia.

The connection is clear. As vaccine supply continues to increase, Ontario must offer the greatest level of protection possible to populations at higher risk. This means shortening the wait time between vaccine doses for people with dementia who live at home, and those who care for them.

"Whether in long-term care or in the community, people living with dementia have experienced tremendous suffering over the course of this pandemic," says Cathy Barrick, Alzheimer Society of Ontario CEO.  "We need to listen to the facts.  People with dementia, regardless of where they live, need to be protected, and speeding up the administration of second shots is one of the best ways to do that".

People living with dementia are making their voices heard. The Alzheimer Society of Ontario has launched an online petition calling on provincial officials to shorten the vaccine interval for people with dementia who live at home and their care partners; the petition can be accessed here: https://www.care2.com/listen-to-the-facts.

Quotes

"We absolutely must protect our society's most vulnerable. This means heeding the data that clearly shows people living with dementia are at the highest risk of COVID-19. We fully support this call for expedited and direct access to second vaccine doses for these individuals and those who care for them."

- Lisa Levin
CEO, AdvantAge Ontario

"OCSA believes in protecting the most vulnerable Ontarians from the devasting effects of COVID-19.  Ontarians that live with dementia are some of the most vulnerable people receiving care for our not-for-profit home and community care members. These high-risk clients should be prioritized regardless of when they received their first vaccination dose. Given the data, OCSA supports shortening the vaccine interval for Ontarians living with dementia."

- Deborah Simon
CEO, Ontario Community Support Association

"A stable supply of vaccines means we can offer the greatest level of protection to those that need it most, including people living with dementia.  We call on the provincial government to not only speed up vaccination of people with dementia who live at home, but to proactively reach out to vulnerable seniors to make sure no one is left behind."

- Cathy Barrick
CEO, Alzheimer Society of Ontario

About the Alzheimer Society 

The Alzheimer Society is a Federation of 29 community support providers, operating in every corner of Ontario. We supported 165,000 clients last year, including both care partners and people living with dementia. We provide education and training to physicians and other healthcare professionals, as well as the general public. With hundreds of staff and thousands of volunteers, we seek to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and promote research into a cure and disease-altering treatment. 

SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Ontario

Alzheimer Society calls for greater protection for people with dementia living at home

Vaccine supply now allows for higher-risk populations, including people living with dementia, to be fully vaccinated at or close to the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

TORONTO, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Newly-updated data from Statistics Canada shows that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia continue to be the most common comorbidity associated with deaths due to Covid-19. Last year 41% of women and 36% of all Canadians who died with Covid-19 had a diagnosis of dementia.

The connection is clear. As vaccine supply continues to increase, Ontario must offer the greatest level of protection possible to populations at higher risk. This means shortening the wait time between vaccine doses for people with dementia who live at home, and those who care for them.

"Whether in long-term care or in the community, people living with dementia have experienced tremendous suffering over the course of this pandemic," says Cathy Barrick, Alzheimer Society of Ontario CEO.  "We need to listen to the facts.  People with dementia, regardless of where they live, need to be protected, and speeding up the administration of second shots is one of the best ways to do that".

People living with dementia are making their voices heard. The Alzheimer Society of Ontario has launched an online petition calling on provincial officials to shorten the vaccine interval for people with dementia who live at home and their care partners; the petition can be accessed here: https://www.care2.com/listen-to-the-facts.

Quotes

"We absolutely must protect our society's most vulnerable. This means heeding the data that clearly shows people living with dementia are at the highest risk of COVID-19. We fully support this call for expedited and direct access to second vaccine doses for these individuals and those who care for them."

- Lisa Levin
CEO, AdvantAge Ontario

"OCSA believes in protecting the most vulnerable Ontarians from the devasting effects of COVID-19.  Ontarians that live with dementia are some of the most vulnerable people receiving care for our not-for-profit home and community care members. These high-risk clients should be prioritized regardless of when they received their first vaccination dose. Given the data, OCSA supports shortening the vaccine interval for Ontarians living with dementia."

- Deborah Simon
CEO, Ontario Community Support Association

"A stable supply of vaccines means we can offer the greatest level of protection to those that need it most, including people living with dementia.  We call on the provincial government to not only speed up vaccination of people with dementia who live at home, but to proactively reach out to vulnerable seniors to make sure no one is left behind."

- Cathy Barrick
CEO, Alzheimer Society of Ontario

About the Alzheimer Society 

The Alzheimer Society is a Federation of 29 community support providers, operating in every corner of Ontario. We supported 165,000 clients last year, including both care partners and people living with dementia. We provide education and training to physicians and other healthcare professionals, as well as the general public. With hundreds of staff and thousands of volunteers, we seek to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and promote research into a cure and disease-altering treatment. 

SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Ontario

Skylight Health Group’s Common Shares to Begin Trading on Nasdaq on Monday, June 7, 2021 Under Symbol SLHG 

TORONTO, June 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skylight Health Group Inc. (TSXV:SHG; OTCQX: SHGFF) (“Skylight Health” or the “Company”), a multi-state primary care management group in the United States, is pleased to announce that the Company's common shares will commence trading on June 7, 2021 on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol "SLHG". The Company's Nasdaq listing is expected to increase access to investment in Skylight Health from retail and institutional investors globally. Furthermore, as a company with growing U.S healthcare operations the Company believes that it is appropriate for it to list on a U.S. exchange and have access to a much larger capital market and expects to improve liquidity for its common shares and, in turn, optimize its cost of capital.

In conjunction with the new Nasdaq symbol, the Company announces that effective Monday, June 7, 2021, its common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange will now trade under the new symbol “SLHG.” Upon commencement of listing of the Company’s common shares on Nasdaq, our common shares will no longer be quoted on the OTC Markets.

ABOUT SKYLIGHT HEALTH GROUP INC.

Skylight Health Group (TSXV:SHG; OTCQX:SHGFF) is a healthcare services and technology company, working to positively impact patient health outcomes. The Company operates a US multi-state primary care health network comprised of physical practices providing a range of services from primary care, sub-specialty, allied health, and laboratory/diagnostic testing. The Company is focused on helping small and independent practices shift from a traditional fee-for-service (FFS) model to value-based care (VBC) through tools including proprietary technology, data analytics and infrastructure. In a FFS model, payors (commercial and government insurers) reimburse on an encounter-based approach. This puts a focus on volume of patients per day. In a VBC model, payors reimburse typically on a capitation (fixed fee per member per month) basis. This places an emphasis on quality over volume. VBC will lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced cost of delivery and drive stronger financial performance from existing practices.

For more information, please visit www.skylighthealthgroup.com or contact:

Investor Relations - Canada: 
Jackie Kelly
investors@skylighthealthgroup.com 
416-301-2949

Investor Relations – USA:
John Evans
john.evans@skylighthealthgroup.com 
415-309-0230

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Skylight Health's filings with Canadian and United States securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the listing of our common shares on Nasdaq.

Although Skylight Health has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: the ability of Skylight Health to execute on its business strategy, continued revenue growth in accordance with management's expectations, operating expenses continuing in accordance with management expectations, dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; Skylight Health being able to find, complete and effectively integrate target acquisitions; change in laws relating to health care regulation; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindering market growth or other factors that may not currently be known by the Company.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Skylight Health disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and Skylight Health does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.