Hi, LE&RN members, everywhere, especially those Canadian members of the Lymphedema Community, which – since establishment of “World Lymphedema Day (WLD) – 6 March 2016 – no longer recognizes national boundaries. Since launching, shortly after the initial WLD, the LE&RN: Canada Chapter has been working towards its two prime objectives. 

The objectives of the LE&RN Canada Chapter are twofold: to reinforce, expand and complement the ongoing efforts and successes of existing lymphedema (LE) networks, associations and international frameworks in Canada; and, to collaborate and unite on awareness, outreach, advocacy and research efforts with other U.S. state-level and international LE&RN Chapters.

Much like its U.S. domestic and other international chapter cousins, the Canada Chapter supports the Mission and Vision of LE&RN. Reading the six stated Values espoused by LE&RN, one can see a series of common threads that align with the name, i.e. Network-based operations that focus on Research- and Education-centric themes related to Lymphatic study (including Lymphedema). For the Canada Chapter, there is a seventh Value – Advocacy. With its rebranding from Lymphatic Research Foundation (LRF) to Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN), the organization became identified, clearly, by its acronym. The Canada Chapter, in a nod to differences in ‘pronunciation’ from others in the family of LE&RN chapters, seeks to transform the “&” from a silent conjunction to an action-oriented (& apparent) value – “Advocacy”. For an elaboration on the W5 (who, what, where, when, why & how) of the Canada Chapter throwing a central focus on advocacy, have a look at the introduction message from the chapter’s inaugural chair - http://lymphaticnetwork.org/international-chapters/canada    

To continue working toward the objectives of the Canada Chapter, I invite, welcome and greatly encourage any/all individuals from the Lymphedema Community to join us!  The founding aim remains to be inclusive meaning that like Canada, itself, ‘the tent is large & welcoming’ for the Lymphedema Community…regardless of gender; regardless of LE type (hereditary/primary and/or acquired/secondary); regardless of age (adult, teen, child); plus, regardless of “role” (patient, caregiver and ‘supporter’ of any kind). Upon joining the LE&RN Canada Chapter, know that we are in this together, and we would like to hear/read from you CanadaChapter@lymphaticnetwork.com,…and we will need your help. Given the enormity of the country’s size, the “inclusive” comments above also include all of Canada…coast-to-coast-to-coast!

As chapter chair from Canada’s Capital, I have been living with “mixed” lymphedema for many years, afflicted with both primary and secondary LE variations. Also for many years I’ve searched for answers and resolutions in the way of care, support and appropriate case-specific treatment and medical attention. My lived experience includes many ‘blank faces’ (including doctors!), plus trials, tribulations and some successes through naturopathic remedies, intensive conservative treatment measures, and micro-surgical interventions. What has been reinforced in my mind (& heart) along this journey is that each/every case of LE is as unique as the individual it afflicts. As such, it needs the case-specific “X” factor (Dx – diagnosis, Rx – prescribed care, Tx – case-specific treatment).

As stated in my earlier 2016 launch message, I can recall that when I first met LE&RN’s President, William (Bill) Repicci, he used terms like “lymphedemic” and “fight” when trying to define what he saw in the ‘world of lymphedema’ and what type of reactive and concerted movement was needed to tackle and ultimately defeat LE. As a long-time LE advocate in Canada, I could not agree more with Bill that the ultimate goal is a cure. But cure is still a “four-letter word” because LE can be (& is!) a formidable and progressively oppressive adversary. So, we have much work to do to get to that cure, but I am committed to working with our national and international partners as a voice for Canadians with LE. In fact, through efforts to raise the profile of LE closer to home, the first-ever “World Lymphedema Day” was the impetus for spearheading the 2016 “City of Ottawa Proclamation of March 6 as World Lymphedema Day”. Canada’s Capital renewed this proclamation in 2017, too, and other Canadian centres have followed suit. Gone are the days of “awareness-only” days dedicated to LE – the days of action are upon us! Undaunted by mixed success and results in my personal ‘journey for health’, I will not rest until current and future generations of those affected by LE receive the dignity, care and quality of life that every Canadian should expect and deserves.

Help me & the Canada Chapter to help you: together, we can fight for and enable change!  So, please, don’t be shy – Canadian or American, or beyond (welcome to the European & Indian Chapters, too!), you are invited to connect with the Canada Chapter…tell your stories in your words. Thank you to those who have already been in touch with your thoughts, stories and challenges. As we re-launch this fight, my memory recalls the notion that “the message is more important than the messenger”.  The message is that “we are a community and, together, we can (& will) effect change for the better”.

Cheers and good health!

Stephen (Steve) Kelland – Chair, LE&RN: Canada Chapter

P.S. – please, please, please…take a moment from your life to review the proposal-petition for the world as generated in Canada-U.S. by like-spirited individuals “fighting the good fight” for LE  by clicking here.

As the first signatory of this grass-roots online plea of encouragement to the world’s health body to designate & dedicate its World Health Day, 2018 – 7 April, to Lymphedema, I share my positive comments with you (below)…hoping to gain more support. After all, we did it before…witness the groundswell of support (& the result!) for the proposal-petition for World Lymphedema Day – 6 March 2016…and beyond. Besides, in addition to fittingly celebrating the 70th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2018, the LE&RN family of chapters could also be benefiting from progress made on the 20th anniversary of LRF-LE&RN! 

“It is time that lymphedema/ lymphoedema (LE), the chronic, progressive and oft-debilitating and stigmatizing disease for which there is (yet!) no cure, took its rightful place alongside other universal public health/health-care issues (ex. diabetes - 2016, depression - 2017) on the radar of the world health agenda.

World Lymphedema Day (est. 2016 March 6 as #WLD) was a great starting point for attention, care and support of those living with LE. To ensure society and the mainstream medical-research communities afford LE the profile that it merits, World Health Organization spotlight is needed to enhance and bolster full awareness and education.

WE, THE LYMPHEDEMA COMMUNITY, NEED THIS!!!

Thank you, #WHO - thank you, #LE&RN - and, thank you, supporters of "World Health Day, 2018 - Lymphedema: Awareness and Cures".

Cheers & good lymphatic health from Canada MALE (Male Advocate for LymphEdema) –

FB: "Lymphedema - LE Nexus Canada” 

Steve Kelland, Ottawa, CANADA - 15 January 2017