CANAAF’s Come Together Conference Weekend 2026
CANAAF hosted its 2026 Come Together National Conference from July 17th to 19th at the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto. From Vancouver to Halifax, 116 attendees gathered in Toronto to share their personal experiences, learn about the latest research and developments from medical experts, and connect with others in the CANAAF community.
The conference kicked off on Friday afternoon with registration and a welcome reception. Throughout the weekend, attendees had the opportunity to take part in a variety of fun outings, including visits to the Quiz Room and Arcadia Earth, and a sunset cruise aboard the Kajama Tall Ship – a 165-foot, three-masted Schooner – on Friday evening.
On Saturday morning, attendees reconvened at the Marriott for the Welcome Address presented by Carolynne Harrison, President of CANAAF. This was followed by presentations and Q&As with an expert panel of dermatologists, Dr. Perla Lansang, Dr. Julio Jasso-Olivares, and Dr. Carlo Gavino, as well as Dr. Eric McMullen, a third-year dermatology resident at the University of Toronto. The panel discussed emerging therapies, patient experiences, and the latest research developments in alopecia areata. Psychotherapist Nicole Smith also gave an empowering presentation, sharing her personal experience of living with alopecia areata and offering practical strategies for navigating the psychosocial impacts of the disease, including mental health.
Afterwards, attendees heard from a number of guest speakers and vendors, including Jennifer Krahn, a long-time supporter of CANAAF who shared how her sudden diagnosis of alopecia areata at age 33 changed the trajectory of her life. Her diagnosis led her to discover Image Evolution by Freedom Wigs, which provides natural-looking, vacuum-prosthesis wigs that allow wearers to take part in activities such as swimming and sports with comfort and peace of mind. Krahn eventually became the company’s regional representative for Manitoba and Eastern Canada, where she enjoys helping others regain their confidence through Freedom Wigs’ custom-made wigs and support.
This was followed by a presentation from CANAAF board member Sara Teskey, who spoke about her patient advocacy work with the International Alopecia Areata Alliance (IAAA). She also introduced attendees to a sneak peek of a patient story video, “Ashlyn’s Story”, which was made possible by the generous support of AbbVie.
On Saturday afternoon, keynote speaker Alan Shane Lewis – a comedian, actor, writer, and co-host of The Great Canadian Baking Show – shared an inspiring talk on his lived experience with alopecia areata, blending his signature high-energy humour with reflections on how alopecia areata has influenced his career in comedy and entertainment.
After the keynote talk, bilingual breakout support sessions took place for adults with alopecia areata, parents of children with alopecia areata, and parents of teens with alopecia areata. Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, children ages three to 11 took part in the Children’s Conference Camp, where they enjoyed a variety of games and activities (such as face painting and balloon art) while making new friends and building new connections in a supportive environment.
Following the breakout support sessions, Cynthia Aguiar, a certified trauma-informed embodiment coach, performance mentor, and wellness expert, presented a talk on the art of reinvention. She spoke about how people living with alopecia areata can reconnect with their confidence, embrace their uniqueness, and navigate life’s transitions with resilience and self-trust.
Saturday night came to a celebratory close with the highly anticipated “Dress Your Best” Dessert Dance Party, featuring a DJ, a photo booth by Smart Booth Images, and cupcake decorating.
After a full day of connecting, celebrating, and learning, Sunday kicked off with CANAAF’s Board of Directors’ Annual General Meeting, open vendor exhibits, and a hot breakfast buffet. The day continued with children’s camp activities and the Teen Connect group, which provided a safe space for attendees to discuss their experiences with alopecia areata. The teen group was also treated to a special presentation on cultivating authenticity, confidence, and self-acceptance with alopecia areata, led by Sudbury teen and patient advocate Rylee McCue, who was recently crowned 2026 Junior Teen Canada United World.
The conference continued with vendor presentations and guest speakers, including an engaging on-stage talk and wig-styling demonstration by Michael Suba, a long-standing supporter of CANAAF and the owner and president of Continental Hair. His presentation explored the innovation, marketing, and future of hair replacement. Two lucky audience members also received a custom-cut and styled wig from Continental Hair.
Next, Tope Akindele and Funke Olokude showcased highlights from their exhibition, “Beautifully Bald – An Exhibition to Raise Awareness”, which celebrates the uniqueness of people living with alopecia areata and challenges the stigma of the disease. Their powerful visual storytelling initiative celebrates the resilience, beauty, and diverse experiences of people living with alopecia through striking portrait photography and personal narratives. The presentation shared the stories behind the portraits, the vision that inspired the project, and the exhibition’s impact on participants and the alopecia areata community.
Crash Rhythm Junk Band Interactive Ensemble (CRASH) also distributed bucket drums to the kids’ group to encourage teamwork, connection, creativity, and fun while teaching kids the basics of music, rhythm, drumming, and composition. This was followed by a performance for all conference attendees who attended the Goodbye Gathering, which featured closing remarks and a slideshow of photo highlights from the weekend.
CANAAF is grateful for the generous support of Pfizer Canada, Lilly Canada, Sun Pharma Canada, Continental Hair, Freedom Hair, Medical Image Wigs, Superhairpieces, Loczz on the Go, Nineteen Marketing, and many others for making this annual event possible.
