NOVEMBER 2023
THE
LAQ
BY YOU and FOR YOU!
Don’t miss the tip of the month on these pages! Major gift from the Mercure family
A CUMULATIVE DONATION of over $35,000 Thank you, Louise. Thank you to the entire Mercure family
It was with deep sadness that we learned of her passing 1 year ago, on August 31, 2022. And it is with enormous gratitude to her memory and to the Mercure family that we welcome today the generosity of the donation made to the LAQ
Photo credit: Michel Niquette
What a wonderful legacy left by Louise Mercure and her family, who added a gift of art to Louise’s financial bequest. Over $35,000 was generously donated to the LAQ for lymphedema awareness, patient advocacy and support. For this gift, and for Louise’s inspirational role in the LAQ’s support groups, we are truly grateful. Louise’s dedication to her condition was admirable. Her resilience, perseverance and artistry impressed many.
from biology, anatomy and femininity. I’m interested in how the mind apprehends and shapes a particular reality, translating it through the creation of poetry and fiction. The essence of my work lies mainly in subjective experiences rooted in my own existence, which I approach playfully.”
Louise Mercure had this to say about her artistic approach: “I create stories that draw their inspiration
© Louise Mercure
«A word to those of you who have just been diagnosed with lymphedema. Yes, compression isn’t nice at first, but you soon get used to it and after a while you realize the benefits. Hang in there.» - Lynda Choose VenoTrain® Curaflow for comfortable, soft-to-the-touch clothing that’s well suited to an active lifestyle. Discover the full range of Bauerfeind’s VenoTrain® Curaflow compression garments on our website.
Educating pharmacy nurses about LYMPHEDEMA Pharmacy nurses showed in great numbers at the LAQ booth during the 4th provincial meeting of the IIPQ, held on September 30, 2023. These healthcare professionals are truly on the front line when it comes to screening for chronic edema and lymphedema. During the day, delegates enjoyed Dr. Anna Towers’ telepresentation on lymphedema. Many thanks to Nathalie Côté, nurse, Casley-Smith-certified lymphedema therapist, fitter and member of the MUHC Lymphedema Clinic team, whose exceptional expertise ensured clear answers to visitors’ precise questions at the LAQ booth. Alongside her, Ginette Bardou, Interim General Manager, was a highly effective networker. Hats off to Sylvain Leclerc, director on the LAQ Board, who opened doors for us. Another success that enabled us to raise awareness of chronic swelling/lymphedema among front-line healthcare professionals. This advocacy activity is made possible by your donations. Thank you for your support!
Nathalie Côté, nurse, Casley-Smith-certified lymphedema therapist, fitter and member of the MUHC Lymphedema Clinic team, gave generously of her time to answer questions from pharmacy nurses. She is accompanied here by Ginette Bardou, Interim Executive Director of the LAQ.
At the LAQ booth, two proud representatives: Sylvain Leclerc, Director on the LAQ Board and Major Account Manager, Homecare, Essity, along with Ginette Bardou, DGI and networking champion!
THE LYMPHEDEMA GUIDE
connects resources to those who need them! OBÉSITÉ CANCER INSUFFI SANCE VEINEUSE OBESITY CANCER VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY
Accédez au BOTTIN DU LYMPHŒDÈME
BOTTIN DU LYMPHŒDÈME LYMPHEDEMA GUID E
2023
Téléchargez en balayant ce code QR
ASSOCIATION QUÉBÉCO ISE DU LYMPHŒDÈME LYMPHEDEMA ASSOCIAT ION OF QUÉBEC
514 979-2463 – 1 866
979-2463 | www.infolym pho.ca | aql@infolymp ho.ca |
Une foule de ressources !
TOVidéos ALL•CORPORATE MEMBERS: The 2024 membership and sponsorship renewal campaign Programme de la RAMQ • Ordonnance type • Programme de soutien thérapeutique • Calendrier des groupes soutien Aide fireturn nancière the communautaire is underway. Pleasedefill out •and form sent to you by e-mail as soon as possible. According to the RAMQ, the number of people dia- services in hospitals. It also provides information on gnosed with lymphedema and treated has risen by 21% the proper use of the RAMQ’s compression garment over the past two years. This appreciable increase is program. Vivre au quotidien : due in large part to the LAQ’s communications work conseils autogestion Visitethttps://infolympho.ca/informer/bottin/ with physicians and the information it distributes to raise awareness of the RAMQ program. It’s also thanks The 2024 printed edition of the Lymphedema Guide to our Lymphedema Guide and our great website, currently in preparation - will be distributed free of which are highly effective in reaching patients and care charge in 5000 copies to CLSCs, family medicine groups, our partners, and directly to patients. providers. For all industry partners supplying compression garments, accessories, treatments and other products and services, the LAQ’s communication platforms are Localisez facilement a must. les thérapeutes et détaillants
DEAR CORPORATE MEMBERS AND SPONSORS :
Team up with the LAQ again by renewing your sponsorship or membership. Don’t miss out on ensuring and increasing your presence among lymphedema sufferers and their healthcare professionals. Découvrez ProLymph : The LAQ’s Lymphedema Guide is easily accessible by la plateforme de ressources Information : 514 979-2463 QR code. It lists certified therapists in all regions of réservéeor aux professionnels aql@infolympho.ca Québec, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers In addition to offering a wealth of comprehensive information, the new LAQ website provides online access to the Lymphedema Guide. Explore this directory of resources, which is enhanced every year!
of compression garments, as well as lymphedema
Consultez le nouveau site Web de l’AQL pour des informations fondées, des conseils judicieux, des thérapeutes certifiés et des laboratoires d’orthèses autorisés par la RAMQ. Balayez le code QR ou rendez-vous au infolympho.ca 514 979-2463 / 1 866 979-2463 aql@infolympho.ca
BREAST HEALTH AND LYMPHEDEMA Proper breast examination is a good way of detecting breast cancer. The denser the breast, the more difficult it is to see a tumour. As a result, breast cancer is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage in people with dense breasts, leading to more aggressive treatments and, consequently, an increased risk of lymphedema following treatment. For more information on high breast density, visit https://densebreastscanada.ca The pamphlet Taking part in the Québec Breast Cancer Screening Program: It’s your decision gives detailed information on the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of breast cancer screening. In this program, women aged between 50 and 69 are invited to have a mammogram every two years to check for the presence of anomalies in their breasts. Mammography is the only screening examination recognized by scientists that reduces the number of deaths attributable to breast cancer. https://bit.ly/3ZYLZGz In the case of dense breasts, you may wish to ask your doctor for further examination.
In the Québec Breast Cancer Screening Program (PQDCS), women aged between 50 and 69 are invited to have a screening mammogram every two years. When the results of the mammogram show anomalies, additional tests are necessary. The flyer Information on other examinations used in addition to screening mammograms is sent to women who are participating in the PQDCS and have to undergo an additional test. It gives information on the various types of additional test and advice on preparing for them. https://bit.ly/46SeOGO
DEEP BREATHING and its impact on LYMPHEDEMA Your next online education and support group takes place on November 23 at 7 p.m. All about deep breathing and its influence on lymphedema with Chantal Turgeon, certified therapist at the MUHC Breast Clinic Experience a practical and relaxing session. ZOOM presentation in French. This free event organized by the LAQ will take place on Thursday, November 23 at 7 p.m. REGISTRATION REQUIRED: aql@infolympho.ca
We look forward to seeing you! This lymphedema event is made possible by the Lymphedema Association of Quebec, whose mission is to support those at risk and those affected, while raising awareness of lymphedema as a chronic disease within the healthcare community.
Upcoming events at which your association will be active in raising awareness of lymphedema, its screening, diagnosis, and treatment - as well as of LAQ and ProLymph services:
THE STORE OF HOPE
Canadian Lymphedema Framework Lymphedema Conference, Toronto, November 3-4, 2023
Our online store is ACTIVE at https://infolympho.ca/ boutique/
ROCO Networking - Regroupement des organisations communautaires en oncologie, October 24th 2023
Shop the Store and support your LAQ!
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TIP OF THE MONTH
TWO’S COMPANY
Picture courtesy of Bauerfeind
You need a minimum of two daytime compression garments per year - ideally three. If you don’t have enough time to make sure your compression garment is washed and dry for the next day, you could buy two garments at almost the same time and alternate. Make sure the first garment fits properly before ordering the second. Each garment will last you 4 to 6 months.
© Lymphedema Association of Québec. PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION PERMISSION: Reprinting is permitted for personal use only. Content may be distributed/shared only with written permission from the LAQ. aql@infolympho.ca