COPN – the Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network (COPN) exists today due to the dedication and perseverance of four pioneering women: Sheila Brien, Priscilla Coles, Ina Inse and Gail LeMieux.
Since 2004, this community has been a strong voice for Canadians impacted by osteoporosis, advocating for improved care and offering essential support and reliable information. Thank you to all of our members, both past and present, who have shared their time, energy and lived experience with us. We cordially invite you to join us in commemorating COPN’s 20th anniversary.
In the early 80s, support for osteoporosis patients was frail – there were no medications, limited information and few, if any support groups for patients. It is during this time that a few women patients from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto came together to create a support group which eventually formalized to become Women and Osteoporosis.
In April 1998, the group realized that they had synergies with Osteoporosis Canada which operated nationally. So, Women and Osteoporosis joined forces with Osteoporosis Canada.
In 2002, Priscilla Coles, a volunteer for Osteoporosis Canada, had an epiphany. She realized that patients needed more say in their treatment and met with other founding partners, Sheila Brien, Gail LeMieux and Ina Inse, to discuss how patients could unite with a national voice to have more of a say in their treatment. These women had all suffered fractures and understood first-hand how osteoporosis could create life changing situations, loneliness and frustration from a lack of information and resources. Their spark was lit – and united, these women set out to create a community and make a difference for others with osteoporosis. They did not want anyone, regardless of their geographic location, to feel ALONE.
As volunteers and speakers, they started in Toronto, and then, reached out to others in smaller communities to provide support. Their mandate was to share experiences and provide patient insight, influence decision makers and provide the patient perspective. A patient focus and a patient voice became their driving force.
In 2004, The Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network (COPN) was sanctioned as the patient arm of Osteoporosis Canada by the Board. With the support of OC, a dedicated web page for COPN and a patient newsletter was launched providing more support to patients and caregivers, eventually creating a virtual community across Canada.
In the early days, while budgets were slim, COPN focused on distributing information to support groups, doctors, and hospitals. As well, COPN hosted seminars recruiting members at these meetings and increasing membership through word of mouth. By 2009, COPN was 1900 members strong. While their milestones are many, one very important milestone COPN achieved was working with the University of Waterloo’s Kinesiology Department to publish a series of exercises called Too Fit to Fracture – this was a landmark resource available to help those who had recently fractured.
This year, COPN is celebrating its 20th anniversary!
COPN remains committed to:
- Leading with our patient voice
- Connecting those affected by osteoporosis with evidence-based information and resources
- Advocating for improvements in osteoporosis care
- Supporting and inspiring those living with this disease
From 2004 through 2024, COPN continues to be true to our founders’ vision:
All Canadians affected by osteoporosis live well and live safely.
Priscilla, Gail, Ina, Sheila 2004 COPN Founders
