Shaping the future of lymphedema care in Canada Your voice can help.
By Bonnie Baker
In the spring of 2027, the Canadian lymphedema community will come together for something truly special: a national gathering designed not just to share knowledge, but to build the future of lymphedema care in Canada—together.
As part of our March Lymphedema Awareness Month celebrations and in anticipation of World Lymphedema Day on March 6, I’m delighted to offer Pathways readers a first look at our 2027 Canadian Lymphedema Conference. Planning is underway for this 3-day event to take place in May 2027 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It will be unlike anything we’ve done since 2009. Our approach—and the collaborative spirit behind it—come directly from our history.
Returning to our roots
The Canadian Lymphedema Framework (CLF) was formed in 2009 through a remarkable, open, community-driven conversation using a meeting format called Open Space Technology (OST). People from across the country—patients, therapists, researchers, physicians, industry partners, and advocates— gathered into one room with a shared purpose: to imagine what lymphedema care in Canada could become. Their ideas, questions, frustrations, and hopes laid the foundation for the CLF itself.
So much has changed since then. Our community has grown—not because lymphedema is new, but because awareness, recognition,
Unlike traditional conferences where sessions are preselected, OST empowers participants to create the agenda themselves. The conversations are shaped by what matters most to those in the room. It’s a space where clarity emerges, priorities take shape, and real collaboration begins.
and connection have steadily increased through our collective efforts. More health professionals now understand how to recognize, diagnose, and manage lymphedema. More researchers are directing their attention to it. And more Canadians who have long lived with swelling and related symptoms are finally being diagnosed, giving them language for their condition and better access to information, care, and support.
At the same time, the individuals who make up this community—patients, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and partners, including many who were present at the very beginning— are far more visible and connected than ever before. Yet despite this progress, the core challenge remains unchanged: how do we create a future where every person in Canada can rely on timely access to knowledgeable care, reliable information, and supportive resources for lymphedema and related conditions? Fittingly, our 2027 conference will begin by returning to the collaborative method that first brought us together.
Why Open Space Technology?
OST is a participant-driven meeting format designed for tackling complex issues—exactly the kind of challenges our community faces. It works when a diverse group of people care deeply, want to move forward, and understand that no single person or organization has all the answers. One of my favourite descriptions of OST comes from openspaceworld.org: “Open Space works best when the work to be done is complex, the people and ideas involved are diverse, the passion for resolution (and potential for conflict) are high, and the time to get it done was yesterday. It’s been called passion bounded by responsibility, the energy of a good coffee break, intentional self-organization, spirit at work, chaos and creativity, evolution in organization, and a simple, powerful way to get people and organizations moving — when and where it’s needed most.”
Unlike traditional conferences where sessions are pre-selected, OST empowers participants to create the agenda themselves. The conversations are shaped by what matters most to those in the room. It’s a space where clarity emerges, priorities take shape, and real collaboration begins. For our community—diverse, passionate, growing, and united by shared urgency—this approach feels not only fitting, but essential.
Who will be attending?
Because this meeting will help define the CLF’s next 10-year strategic plan, it is extremely important that the room reflects the full scope of Canada’s lymphedema landscape. We are working closely with every provincial lymphedema association to ensure that participants represent many perspectives, including:
4 People living with lymphedema and related disorders, and their caregivers
4 Therapists, nurses, physicians, and other clinicians
4 Researchers and educators
4 Compression garment fitters and suppliers
4 Industry partners developing products, technologies, and solutions
4 Policy makers, funders, insurers, and health-system leaders
4 Professionals in intersecting areas: oncology, skin and wound care, vascular disease, obesity medicine, dermatology, palliative care, and more
4 Community advocates, volunteers, and emerging leaders
We hope to welcome people from every province and territory and from all walks of life. There is no required experience or educational background—just a genuine connection to lymphedema and a desire to make a difference. Because space may be limited, we anticipate capping participation at approximately 300 attendees for the OST portion of the event. However, our intention is clear: if you want to be there, we want to find a way to include you.
You are invited
This Spring special issue of Pathways reaches a wide audience—including many people who may be exploring our community for the first time. Whether you are newly diagnosed, a longtime clinician, a caregiver, a student, or someone whose work intersects with chronic edema in any form—your voice matters.
To help us plan responsibly and to ensure strong representation across Canada, we invite you to pre-register your interest in participating. Pre-registration is free, has no commitment, and simply lets us keep you informed as plans take shape.
We ask that participants be 18 years or older. If we receive significant interest from young people under 18, we will explore options to accommodate them with an adult chaperone.
Looking ahead
The outcomes of this collaborative meeting will guide our work for the next decade. They will help determine priorities, shape research directions, strengthen advocacy, and ultimately
improve access to care across Canada.
In the months ahead, we will share more details about the event, registration, and travel information. For now, I hope you will mark your calendars for May 13 – 15, 2027 and consider joining us in Halifax, where we’ll gather with purpose, energy, and optimism. This is your chance to help chart the course for the next chapter of lymphedema care in Canada. We look forward to taking those steps with you. LP
