In 1998, provinces apart from each other, both Patricia Manson and Debora Sterritt decided to act upon the realization that there were no Canadian organizations focused on lymphoma to offer resources and support to Canadian patients. Respectively, they founded The Lymphoma Research Foundation of Canada (LRFC) in Vancouver and the Canadian Lymphoma Foundation (CLF) in Toronto. These organizations would eventually merge to form Lymphoma Canada as we know it today.

The Lymphoma Research Foundation of Canada (LRFC)

After being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1997, Patricia Manson searched in vain for a Canadian organization focused on lymphoma research. It quickly became apparent that there were no Canadian organizations that facilitated the distribution of pertinent information for lymphoma patients. Thus, on February 6, 1998, with the help of Drs. Connors and Hegele, and the legal assistance from the firm of Russell & DuMoulin, Manson founded The Lymphoma Research Foundation of Canada (LRFC) in Vancouver.

As she created the LRFC, Manson showed great resilience in the face of an aggressive cancer. She became a larger-than-life figure in the eyes of her friends and family – including her husband and five children. After only a few short months as President of the LRFC, Manson passed away on May 29, 1998. Her vision of creating the LRFC as an organization that might help others living with lymphoma has continued through Lymphoma Canada.

The Canadian Lymphoma Foundation (CLF)

In 1998, Deborah Sterritt founded the Canadian Lymphoma Foundation (CLF) in Toronto with the help of Dr. Zanke, Terry Creighton, and Jane Mingay. What motivated Deborah Sterritt to establish the foundation is that, in 1995, she was diagnosed with an indolent form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In her quest to make informed decisions when treating her cancer, she discovered that no group in Canada existed that could provide patients with the information they needed to navigate their lymphoma journey. After attending an educational conference hosted by the Lymphoma Foundation in New York, Deborah became determined to ensure that Canadian patients like herself had access to the support and educational information they deserved. This ultimately resulted in the founding of the CLF.

Becoming Lymphoma Canada

“Collaboration is key when you’re dealing with issues relating to healthcare.” – Deborah Sterritt

Both the LFRC and CLF identified the need for a strong, national presence to effectively provide Canadian lymphoma patients with the information and support they needed. In 2000, they merged forming Lymphoma Foundation Canada so they could better serve the national lymphoma community. In 2019, Lymphoma Foundation Canada became Lymphoma Canada.

Since its inception as the LFRC and CLF, Lymphoma Canada has remained true to its mission of empowering patients and the lymphoma community through education, support, advocacy, and research.

Lymphoma Canada provides free educational resources to hospitals and patients throughout the country. Year-round Lymphoma Canada hosts webinars covering a variety of lymphoma topics. The organization continuously advocates for lymphoma patients and raises awareness for lymphoma cancer through various advocacy and awareness efforts. Each year, the Lymphoma Canada Research Grant is awarded to promising Canadian research studies that have the potential to achieve positive outcomes for lymphoma patients.

The past 25 years would not have been possible without the generous supporters who have provided grants, sponsorships, and donations.

We are grateful to all our supporters who have helped us to fulfill our mission of empowering patients and the lymphoma community through education, support, advocacy, and research.

We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the volunteers, including our Board of Directors and the Scientific Advisory Board.

The Next 25 Years

Looking forward, Lymphoma Canada is certain to stay true to its mission. We will continue providing resources and support for Canadian lymphoma patients and their loved ones. Our research grants will continue funding promising research studies that have the potential to create positive outcomes for patients. We will also continue advocating for treatment options that have the possibility of allowing patients to live a life unlimited by lymphoma.

Contribute to help us continue our journey

Lymphoma Canada relies on the generosity of supporters like you, so we can continue advancing our mission of empowering patients and the Canadian lymphoma community through education, support, advocacy, and research.

DONATE