Canadian Arthritis Network - Today's Arthritis Research

Delia Cooper is the Consumer Advisory Representative for British Columbia. She was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 12 and consequently has a wealth of experience living with this disease. She lives in Coquitlam with her husband and after spending 32 years as a teacher, she has now retired and is devoting her time to volunteering for the arthritis cause. Delia became involved with The Arthritis Society's Chronic Disease Management Committee and during 2006- 7 represented the arthritis consumer perspective during the development of the RA, OA and OP Service Framework for BC. She also provided consumer input into the creation of the Arthritis Resource Guide for BC, a website which assists the public in finding arthritis information and health care services.

Delia completed her Masters at the University of Oregon in 1995 with a focus on Leadership and on the Impact of Special Needs Students in the classroom. Upon retirement, she became President of The Arthritis Society's Coquitlam Arthritis Community Group (Hang Tough) which serves several communities north of the Fraser River and she has recently become more involved speaking to the local community about Arthritis. Delia teaches Arthritis Self-Management courses and is now a member of the Patient Partner Program which demonstrates arthritis-friendly MSK exams to medical students. Since 2008, as a member of the Canadian Arthritis Network (CAN), Delia has represented consumers during the research review process for the Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee (SMAC), assumed the role of Co-Chair for the Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) from 2008 to 2010 and acted as the CAC's Observer on CAN's Board (2008-2010). She has also acted as a Community Reviewer in the CIHR research funding process and provides the Cochrane Collaboration with consumer feedback on their research reviews. Recently, Delia has become an activated member of the Patient Voices Network in BC and has provided a consumer perspective on the care of people with chronic conditions for the Chronic Disease Management Shared Care Advisory Group with Providence Health Care in Vancouver Coastal Health.

Delia's analytical abilities and expertise in problem solving as well as her commitment and keen interest in research will serve patients with arthritis well in her various volunteer capacities within CAN and the CAC.