Lymphoma Links Peer Support Program

One-on-One Peer Support for Patients and Caregivers

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. Connecting with others through the Lymphoma Canada Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program helps reduce feelings of isolation and meet the need for support.

This program is provided to Canadian patients and caregivers aged 18 and over. It matches screened and trained patient or caregiver volunteers who have experience with lymphoma/CLL (mentors), with patients and caregivers who are seeking support (mentees).

Mentees and mentors provide information about their lymphoma experience, allowing Lymphoma Canada to make the best possible matches. Matches are based on mentee requests and the availability of volunteer mentors. The basis for the match can be lymphoma subtype, treatment type, side effects, and/or individual circumstances such as age and family situation. Lymphoma Canada will try to match a mentee and mentor on as many characteristics as soon as possible; if there isn’t a match within the database, it may take some time until an applicant or candidate enters the database that fits a similar profile to you. Lymphoma Canada is frequently monitoring the database to match patients as quickly as possible.

Mentors and mentees, once matched by Lymphoma Canada, will then initiate their one-on-one support through either email, telephone, or online video conferencing to listen, share experiences, and bring comfort related to the challenges associated with lymphoma/CLL.

Items to note:

• In-person meetings are discouraged and not within the scope of this program.
• Mentors do not provide medical advice and are only there to share their experiences and what worked for them.
• The match relationship may be one-time, or it may continue longer-term, through treatment and recovery. This is meant to be a short-term support program.

To request a match, we ask that you provide the required information through an online submission form. Please select the appropriate form.

Looking to Apply to be a Mentor:

To apply to be a member, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or over;
• As a Patient > Have completed treatments for any type of lymphoma/CLL and been lymphoma-free for at least one-year ­or be in a Watch & Wait phase of indolent lymphoma/CLL for at least one-year post-diagnosis or on indefinite treatment for a year or more.
• As a Caregiver > The patient that you are caring for has completed treatments for any type of lymphoma/CLL and are lymphoma free for at least one year or be in a Watch & Wait for their indolent lymphoma/CLL for at least one-year post-diagnosis;
• Be emotionally prepared to offer support to others;
• Successfully complete screening and peer mentor training.

If you meet these eligibility requirements you can apply to be a mentor by clicking on the appropriate online application link:

If you have any questions about the peer-to-peer mentoring program, please contact us at info@lymphoma.ca, or connect with the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program Manager if you have already been contacted directly.