MISSISSAUGA, June 27, 2013 – Today, Lymphoma Canada releases its 2013 Lymphoma Report Card, revealing the needs of lymphoma survivors and over 8,800 men and women that are diagnosed with the disease each year.
The report card is a result of the 2012 Patient Survey that was led by Lymphoma Canada with the support of OncoMed Inc. Lymphoma patients representing 10 provinces from different stages of their lymphoma experience participated in the online survey.
“Lymphoma Canada is here to help lymphoma patients, survivors, families, and caregivers to navigate more powerfully through their lymphoma experience. And the best way to do that is to find out where the gaps are so we can provide the education and support they need,” says Sue Robson, Executive Director, Lymphoma Canada.
The results released today identify that patients are seeking more information from lymphoma experts, a description of current lymphoma standards of care, and overall access to a wider variety of information so they can be empowered to be champions of their own health.
“The best advice I could give anyone is to be a champion for yourself. Really learn to listen to your body. You have the right to ask for second opinions; you are in charge,” says Amy Maraone, Pulmonary Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. “You have to take control of your health and ensure that you’re getting the best possible care.”
Lymphoma Canada is dedicated to improving patient education and support throughout Canada so that no one has to face lymphoma alone. The development of a Patient Support Strategy and access to online Google+ Hangout, webinars and videos are among two of the current initiatives being taken as a result of the survey.
“It doesn’t stop here. This survey will serve as a baseline as we conduct new surveys every two years. We want to ensure that we are continuing to learn and make improvements,” says Robson.
For full version of the 2013 Lymphoma Report Card visit http://www.lymphoma.ca/lymphoma-report-card-2013
Lymphoma in Canada
Lymphoma is the fifth most common cancer in Canada. In 2012, an estimated 8,700 Canadians were diagnosed with lymphoma. It affects many people, from patients, family and caregivers, to medical professionals and researchers and incidence is on the rise in young adults and children. Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops when an error in the production of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell found in the lymph nodes, results in abnormal cells that become cancerous.
About Lymphoma Canada
Lymphoma affects many people, from patients, family and caregivers, to medical professionals and researchers. Lymphoma Canada connects and empowers this community through education, support, and research. Together we are promoting early detection, finding new and better treatments, helping patients access those treatments, learning lymphoma’s many causes, and finding a cure.
For more information about this registered charity, please visit lymphoma.ca or call 1-866-659-5556.
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Source: LYMPHOMA CANADA
For further information:
Charlene Ragin
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
905.858.5967 ex. 222
communication@lymphoma.ca
