World Lymphedema Day - lets get involved!

World Lymphedema Day - lets get involved!

The Canadian Lymphedema Framework’s bi-annual national lymphedema conference was held as a virtual event in the fall of 2021. There were participants representing 14 different countries and over 45 expert speakers from around the world. In this issue we present some of the questions that were posed in the live Q&A that took place during the sessions. We thank the expert clinicians and researchers for providing their knowledge and experience with our readers. We will feature additional questions in future Ask The Expert columns as well. A synopsis of the abstracts submitted for the poster presentations at the conference is also included. You can still view all of the accepted abstracts in their entirety by checking the canadalymph.ca website under

One of the poster presenters at the conference was Rachel Wilkinson, a physiotherapist who shares two case studies exploring the possible effect of various scar tissue treatments on lymphedema volume.

Catherine Bowman, who presented her Leg Lymphedema Study at a conference Exhibitor Booth, also shares a synopsis of this study for our readers. She outlines the novel model of quality lymphedema care for cancer survivors. The patient story featured in this issue is unique as the article itself is a collaborative effort between patient and health professionals. Jan Stewart describes the integrated approach of how various health professionals and garment fitters all worked together to manage the healing process of a broken wrist of someone with lymphedema.

My favourite story about optimism and taking charge comes from Beth Hoag, a physiotherapist and certified lymphedema therapist in Toronto, Ontario. She shares her wonderful rendition of “Twas the night before

Christmas”. Although I only came across this great story after Christmas, our Editorial Board agreed that we just couldn’t wait twelve months to publish it in Pathways. We hope you smile and gain as much inspiration from the poem as we did.

World Lymphedema Day on March 6th is a time to raise awareness of lymphedema, an international health problem that is under-diagnosed and under-treated. It is a condition that affects millions worldwide. In Canada alone, more than one million people in Canada suffer from this disease. World Lymphedema Day is also a time to celebrate how much progress we have made in recent years. We have come far but there is always more work to do. This is the time to spread awareness and knowledge about lymphedema.

What can we do together? We encourage everyone to become active by helping in three ways.

Celebrate. It is a time to celebrate how far the lymphedema community has grown in numbers and strength. There are dedicated people spending an enormous amount of time doing great work for the lymphedema community, every single day. Celebrate them on local radio, TV, and in publications. Use your social media. Tell your friends.

Thank them. If this is you, we thank you wholeheartedly!

Educate. Pathways magazine is full of resources and relevant, credible information. Order extra copies to leave in doctors’ offices and cancer centers. There are people suffering from lymphedema that need the information we offer in every issue. Be generous and pass your copy on!

Advocate. Patients need advocates. Speak up for lymphedema patients whenever and wherever you get a chance. Advocate for better care, improved government funding, and reimbursement for treatment and garments. Speak up for prevention, treatment, and self-care of lymphedema in hospital settings.

Pathways magazine is the voice of the lymphedema community in Canada and beyond. We salute all the lymphedema warriors and heroes whose everyday actions contribute to fulfilling the CLF’s mission, to improve the management of lymphedema and related disorders in Canada. LP