Another Successful Canadian National Conference : Canadian Lymphedema Framework

The Canadian Lymphedema Framework co-hosts a National Lymphedema Conference every two years. The most recent was held in October 2015 in Calgary, and the bidding process is underway for the 2017 National Conference.

The 2015 National Lymphedema Conference was presented by the Canadian Lymphedema Framework and the Alberta Lymphedema Association, in conjunction with the University of Alberta on October 23-24 in Calgary, Alberta. The conference was another key step in the CLF’s journey to move closer to the advancement of lymphedema care in Canada.

This collaborative event brought together a national audience to strengthen the discussion of lymphedema care in Canada. Health professionals, researchers, patients and community leaders from Alberta and across Canada gathered in Calgary to learn from international experts in lymphedema research, diagnosis, treatment and self-care. A full review of the conference can be found here, courtesy of Pathways.

Co-Hosts

The Canadian Lymphedema Framework
Founded in 2009, the Canadian lymphedema framework is an academic and patient stakeholder collaboration promoting lymphedema research, best practices and clinical development. The CLF is modeled on, and has a partnership with the International Lymphoedema Framework, and links with other national lymphedema frameworks in order to contribute to the global advancement of lymphedema care. The CLF core mission is to improve the management of lymphedema and related disorders in Canada.

Alberta Lymphedema Association
The Alberta Lymphedema Association (ALA) is a charitable organization founded in 2003 to recognize the needs of people living with, or at risk of, lymphedema. ALA is a learning association committed to ongoing education of its stakeholders and to advocate for both cancer and non-cancer related lymphedema patients.

The University of Calgary
The Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, in partnership with the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation, is developing an innovative and exciting Lymphedema Research and Education Program and the Kipnes Lymphedema Imaging Suite, a state-of-the-art imaging facility devoted to studies of the lymphatic system. This initiative is dedicated to advancing our understanding of lymphedema and improving the health of those affected by this disease.

Objectives

With a focus on education, research and partnerships; the key objectives of this conference were to:

provide a forum to educate attendees about lymphedema, its causes and treatments
update attendees on research initiatives and scientific advances in the field of lymphedema
promote partnerships between clinicians, researchers, patient advocacy groups and industry
showcase Alberta’s leading edge clinical and research work and recent advocacy successes

Program and Agenda

Abstracts

A total of 31 abstract submissions were received from across Canada.

Click Here for the full listing and description of all accepted oral and poster presentations.

Scientific Committee

The CLF Board thanks the following Scientific Committee, including Co-chairs, for their energy, ideas and support:

Dr. Pierre von der Weid (Alberta) – is a Basic Science Researcher on lymphatic functions and head of the new Lymphedema Research and Education Program at the University of Calgary.

Dr. David Keast (Ontario) – is a physician specializing in wound care and lymphedema. He is also Co-Chair of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework. `

Committee members:
Dr. Anna Towers (Quebec) – Director of the McGill University Health Clinic Lymphedema Program and a founding member and active participant in the Canadian Lymphedema Framework.

Dr. Roanne Thomas (Ontario) – Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Ottawa, performs research examining the psychosocial aspect of lymphedema and breast cancer.

Dr. Margie McNeely (Alberta) – Assistant Professor, University of Alberta and Cross Cancer Institute, and conducts research on rehabilitative treatments for cancer-related lymphedema.

Conference Organizers

Anna Kennedy, Executive Director of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework

Diane Martin, President of the Alberta Lymphedema Association

Nicole Boulet, Communications Coordinator, Canadian Lymphedema Framework

Keynote Speakers

We were very fortunate to have the following roster of well-known speakers so eager to share their knowledge and experience with the audience:

Dr. John McDonald, a world-renowned wound and lymphedema expert, who co-authored the World Health Organization’s White Paper on lymphedema

Dr. Christine Moffatt, Head of the International Lymphoedema Framework.

Dr. Pierre von der Weid, Head of the new Lymphedema Education and Research program at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Jay Granzow, a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in California who specializes in surgical options for lymphedema.

For a peek at the conference agenda click here.

Click here for the conference program and read about our conference speakers and presenters.

Delegates

The delegates who attended the conference included both patients and interdisciplinary health professionals from across Canada, with an interest in lymphedema including:

Patients with or at risk of lymphedema, their care givers and lymphedema advocates
Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, registered massage therapists, therapist assistants, social workers, psychologists and nurses
Oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and general medical practitioners
Research scientists
Graduate and medical students
Compression garment fitters
Alberta Health Services representatives and policy advisors

Sponsorships and exhibitors

We are grateful to the following conference sponsors who generously provided financial support to enable a successful conference.

Lead Sponsors
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – National Office and Prairies/NWT region

Platinum Sponsor
Solaris
Lohmann & Rauscher

Bronze Sponsors

We acknowledge additional funding for expenses related to our speakers from the Alberta Innovative Health Services (AIHS) and the University of Alberta, Physical Therapy Department.

Our comprehensive Exhibit Hall included the following companies: We encourage you to visit their website and purchase their products.

Wellspring Calgary