Canadian Lymphedema Framework/ Partenariat canadien du lymphœdème
204-4800 Dundas Street West Toronto ON M9A 1B1
February 16, 2024
Dr. Lucie Opatrny
President and Executive Director
McGill University Health Centre
via email
Dear Dr. Opatrny,
The Board of Directors and staff of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework (CLF) are shocked by the troubling news that funding has been suddenly and completely withdrawn for the MUHC Lymphedema Program under Dr. Anna Towers. We cannot think of worse news, not only for tens of thousands of lymphedema patients in Québec, but also for the national and international lymphedema care community.
Dr. Towers is internationally regarded as one of the most eminent authorities on lymphedema and its treatment. The MUHC Lymphedema Program is recognized as a Lymphatic Centre of Excellence, and is the only Canadian site to have achieved this distinguished recognition. The interdisciplinary model of care offered by Dr. Towers and her team is highly regarded as a model for other centres. The training and mentoring provided through this Program has yielded a highly skilled team of clinicians and patient advocates. These team members are also now sought for their expertise, for the findings of their continual clinical research, for consultation on challenging cases, and for their contributions to national and international lymphedema education and events.
Dr. Towers is one of the CLF’s founding members and served for many years as our Co-Chair. Though she has now retired from our Board of Directors, she continues to volunteer her time contributing to our mission in multiple ways. She is a member of our Medical Advisory Committee and our Editorial Board, serves on our Scientific Committees and presents at our conferences and educational events. She routinely contributes to our publications and best practice documents. Dr. Towers and her MUHC team have graciously shared their clinical expertise innumerable times over the years in consultation with clinicians and patients alike on complex cases.
Canadian Lymphedema Framework/ Partenariat canadien du lymphœdème
204-4800 Dundas Street West Toronto ON M9A 1B1
Of course, the most distressing aspect of this terrible turn of events is the impact it has on cancer survivors and lymphedema patients in the province of Québec. It is difficult to calculate the ultimate, eventual cost of this misguided decision to withdraw funding. We can confidently assert that the vacuum of care that will result from this decision will have a devastating impact on the health and quality of life for existing and future patients. It will also incur significant costs to the public health system to care for the negative health impacts of not managing lymphedema for thousands of patients. These patients, untreated, are at an elevated risk of developing serious complications, such as cellulitis infections which can lead to sepsis, which can be fatal.
We implore you to seek a swift solution that will ensure the continuity of funding to support the operation of the MUHC Lymphedema Program so that Dr. Towers and her team can continue to care for this too often under-recognized, under-diagnosed and under-treated patient population.
Sincerely, and on behalf of the CLF Board of Directors,
Bonnie Baker
Executive Director
Canadian Lymphedema Framework
647-693-1083 | bonnie@canadalymph.ca
Find us online: www.linktr.ee/canadalymph
Charitable Registration #851601260 RR 0001