Ten years strong: Celebrating a decade of making a difference
By Anna Kennedy and Catherine Andrew
In 2009, the Canadian Lymphedema Framework (CLF) began with an open space stakeholder meeting, bringing together 100 stakeholders from across Canada, who prioritized three areas of focus: Education, Research and Partnerships. Fast-forward to 2019 and these same pillars continue to guide the CLF Board in prioritizing annual strategies, projects and activities.
In the ten short years since the inception of the CLF, we have been able to deliver on each of these foundational pillars in a variety of ways. With the help of many internal and external contributors, the CLF has developed educational resources that can be widely distributed to patients, health care professionals, and community advocates alike. This standardized material includes resources that you may be familiar with, such as our extensive website, informational booklet, 2019 Inspiring Stories Calendar, and of course Pathways, Canada’s Lymphedema Magazine Pathways has been a special part of the CLF since our first issue in 2012 and it has continued to be a success through the contribution of all the amazing authors, designers, board members, sponsors, advertisers and subscribers.
By working with experts in lymphedema research the CLF has had the opportunity to collaborate on research projects designed to provide more context about the level of treatment and support that Canadian lymphedema patients receive. The Lymphedema Landscape Study, the Delphi Study and the Reimbursement Survey were conducted to understand who treats lymphedema and what training they’ve had, what research needs should be prioritized, and what regional disparities
Anna Kennedy is the Editor of Pathways, and Executive Director/Founding Member of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework. She also served on the International Lymphoedema Framework Board of Directors for ten years. She is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the lives of Canadians.
Catherine Andrew works part-time as a Pathways Editorial Intern. She recently graduated from the Commerce program at Dalhousie University with a major in Marketing Management.
exist in reimbursement, respectively. The CLF also participated in two international research studies. LIMPRINT (Lymphedema Impact and Prevalence International), was a prevalence study to assess the number of patients with lymphedema/chronic edema and its impact on individuals and health services. The aim of participating in the study was to use the results in Canada to provide evidence
for practice and as a support mechanism for reimbursement. The second study, The Chronic Edema Outcome Measures Project’s aim is to agree and validate international measures to be used in both clinical practise and research. Canada had one of the highest participation responses (713) out of the 8014 responses from 60 countries.
Over the ten years of the CLF, the many projects and initiatives would not have been possible without the partnerships with key players in the lymphedema industry. The CLF has collaborated with the International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF) on a number of projects, including to co-host the successful 2011 ILF Conference in Toronto. Members of the CLF, Anna Kennedy and David Keast have both served as ILF board members during different time periods, since 2009. In addition to the close partnership with the ILF, the CLF works with regional affiliates across Canada to ensure that we have an impact for Canadians affected by lymphedema in all regions. By holding quarterly cross-Canada calls and hosting bi-annual provincial meetings, we have been able to collaborate on a number of national partnerships, all with the goal of raising awareness for lymphedema and how it impacts Canadians across the country. Working with medical professionals, researchers, organizations and advocates we have been able to continue producing educational content and bringing people in the lymphedema community together.
The CLF is honoured to have been recognized on the international stage, being voted “Most Inspiring Organization” by conference delegates at the 2014 International Lymphedema Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. At the 2019 ILF Conference in Chicago, the CLF was recognized for its contribution to the ILF and its participation in the planning and execution of the ILF conference.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2019 and throughout 2020, the CLF has defined key priorities and will be working on some exciting projects that will build on each of our pillars.
An education postcard of “5 things every physician should know about lymphedema” will be distributed to doctors across Canada. Another initiative will be the completion of the portal on our website which will provide presentation templates, educational slide decks, and assessment tools to health professionals. As always, the CLF will be producing four more issues of Pathways which will bring many more research studies, patient perspectives, and breakthroughs in the lymphedema community to the doorsteps of readers across Canada.
On another exciting note, the CLF will be hosting the 2019 National Lymphedema Conference in Toronto, Ontario from
Over the 10 years of the CLF, the many projects and initiatives would not have been possible without the partnerships with key players in the lymphedema industry.
1-2 November. The conference will bring together an audience of health professionals, researchers, patients and community advocates from Ontario, Canada and worldwide to learn from experts in lymphedema research, diagnosis, treatment, and self-care. You can register on our conference website today (https://canadalymph.ca/conference/ registration/).
Since 2009, the CLF has operated with the mission of making comprehensive and effective treatment for lymphedema and related disorders accessible to all persons across Canada. The CLF has collaborated with academics, health professionals, industry, community organizations, and patients –while keeping patients at the heart of everything we do. Looking forward to the next 10 years, the CLF will continue to keep patients in the forefront and work towards a future where lymphedema education and comprehensive treatment for this chronic condition is accessible to all Canadians. LP
10 Years STRONG
2009–2019