|
About the Nursing Advisory Board
|
|
The Nursing Advisory Board (NAB) was formed at the beginning of 2016, and now provides instrumental input on our educational and support initiatives for patients, such as our educational forums, conferences, webinars, as well as printed and online resources. The members offer their consultation regarding our materials, and assist Lymphoma Canada in evaluating topics and establishing where any gaps in patient needs may lie.
The NAB also helps Lymphoma Canada understand how we can adequately support nurses and provide them with tools that would assist them in their role. Members of the NAB are able to benefit from each other’s expertise and share successful programs that may be feasible for other nurses to adopt, or resources they’ve found helpful.
In honour of oncology nursing day this past April 4th, we are highlighting the incredible nurses who are involved with Lymphoma Canada’s one-of-a-kind Nursing Advisory Board.
Thank you to all of our NAB members for your integral role in influencing and leading change in our complex health care environments!
|
|
|
Meet Trisha: Nurse member profile
|
|
Trisha Hudson, RN, BScN
Halifax, NS
After completing her Bachelor of Science, Nursing at Dalhousie University Trisha began working as a nurse on the Hematology/ Oncology/ Bone Marrow Transplant inpatient unit at the Queen Elizabeth Health Sciences Centre.
Trisha currently works as a hematology research coordinator where she is involved in lymphoma clinical trials. These clinical trials include treatment of both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in both front-line and relapsed settings. Trisha is very passionate about clinical trials and the future of lymphoma research and was recently interviewed by CTV about a newly approved lymphoma treatment that cuts down the time patients need to spend in the clinic.
|
|
New Patient Resource Materials
Lymphoma Canada has created three new manuals for patients and caregivers seeking quality information about their cancer:
- Understanding CLL & SLL;
- Understanding Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma;
- Understanding Hodgkin Lymphoma.
These guides explain how cancer develops, diagnosis, potential treatments, options if the lymphoma returns--including participating in clinical trials, and follow-up care.
The resources also include information on how to communicate with your medical team to ensure you are as informed as possible and part of the decision making process regarding your care. The guides are FREE and can be ordered on our website in both English and French. |
|
|
Watch & Wait is a treatment protocol widely-used in indolent or slow-growing lymphomas.
Watch & wait, also called active surveillance or watchful waiting, involves your doctor regularly monitoring your cancer to determine the best time to start treatment, as there is currently no proven long-term survival benefit in treating these types of lymphoma early.
Many people newly diagnosed with follicular lymphoma (FL) do not need immediate anti-cancer treatment. FL often progresses slowly and may not cause any problems for a period of time. Instead, patients will be regularly monitored by their oncologist for months or years until the cancer changes and treatment is considered necessary.
|
|
Clinical trials are an important part of getting new treatments to market for patients. New drugs or treatment options are tested on patients, once they have passed rigorous lab tests that show their effectiveness in fighting cancer.
Clinical trials also investigate other aspects of cancer care, like the effects of exercise on survival, emotional health, nutrition, etc. It is important for patients and caregivers to understand the benefits of participating in a clinical trial, what happens in the different phases of trials, other factors you should consider before agreeing to participate, and your rights as a participant.
By participating in a clinical trial, patients also contribute to important cancer research. Research is constantly underway to learn more about cancer. Many patients treated for cancer are now living longer thanks to the knowledge gained from clinical trials.
|
|
Lymphoma Canada has created a new brochure, Clinical Trials: Is Participating Right For you? to help anyone interested in entering a clinical trial. It can be ordered online in English HERE.
|
|
|
|
Peer to Peer Support Program for Patients and Caregivers
|
|
|
Getting a cancer diagnosis is an overwhelming experience. It is perfectly normal to be shocked by the diagnosis, anxious about the future, and confused about the medical information and decisions that need to be made. Frequently we hear patients and caregivers say that they would benefit from speaking with someone who has been through a similar experience; someone who knows what it’s like and truly understands.
Lymphoma Canada can help by providing you with a peer mentor.
Connecting with others through this volunteer experience helps to reduce feelings of isolation and meet the need for support.
|
|
|
Pembrolizumab Effective with Relapsed NK-cell and T-cell lymphomas.
READ MORE.
|
|
CAR-T Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Aggressive NHL.
READ MORE.
|
|
Upcoming Events
Lymphoma Canada hosts an array of educational forums, webinars, conferences and special events every year. Dates for our confirmed 2017 events are listed below. Note that more events will be added soon--so be sure to stay tuned to your inbox and our website to get the latest news as it is released!
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!
April 22, 2017
CLL Patient Education Forum
The Changing Landscape of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Montréal, QC
FIND OUT MORE HERE
May 3, 2017
Southwestern Ontario Chapter Meeting
Integrative & Lifestyle Treatment Options
NEW LOCATION! Kitchener, Ontario
FIND OUT MORE HERE
May 12, 2017
BC Cancer Research Centre Presents Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum
Vancouver, BC
FIND OUT MORE HERE
August 16, 2017
Creighton Classic Par for the Cure
Lebovic Golf Course, Aurora, ON
FIND OUT MORE HERE
|
Sept. 15 & 16, 2017
1st Annual National Lymphoma Conference
Montréal, QC
DETAILS COMING SOON.
Sept. 29 & 30, 2017
1st Annual National Lymphoma Conference
Toronto, ON
DETAILS COMING SOON.
November 5, 2017
take it to the mat, the great yoga & meditation revolution
Toronto, ON
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
REGISTRATION OPEN!
Montreal, QC
Crowley Arts Centre
REGISTRATION OPEN!
|
|
|
Get Healthy. Get Happy. Make a Difference.
On Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Montreal and Toronto, join t ake it to the mat, the Great Yoga and Meditation Revolution! This inspirational fundraising event is unlike any other. After a morning of delicious food and engaging presentations, acclaimed yoga and meditation gurus will help guide you in a 108-minute practice--creating everlasting change to the mind, body and soul.
More than 100,000 Canadians are living with lymphoma, making it the 5th most common cancer in Canada. That’s why fundraising events like Lymphoma Canada’s take it to the mat are so important. Not only does this unique and inspiring event raise funds to support those Canadians affected by a lymphoma diagnosis, it also incorporates the benefits of yoga, meditation and living a happier and healthy lifestyle.
Join us on November 5th and get ready to embark on a journey of wellness and spiritual healing, all while giving back to the lymphoma community.
|
|
|
