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Anna Towers, MD

Dr. Towers is Director of the Lymphedema Support Program of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation at the MUHC, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal. She has been looking after cancer-related lymphedema patients for the last 30 years.

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Sexuality Post Cancer Treatment and Impact on Lymphedema Management

Sandra Rotholc, RSW RP RMFT ACST

Sandra Rotholc has been practicing for 30 years as an Individual, Couples, Family and Sex Therapist. She has a special interest in coaching people to have healthier relationships. She is a Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Social Worker, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Western Ontario. She also holds her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Toronto.

Sandra furthered her education and clinical experience while living in London, England. After moving to Vancouver, she worked for 4 years at the BC Cancer Agency, where she helped formulate and facilitate breast and prostate cancer forums and children’s groups. While at the Agency she also co-wrote a children’s workbook and offered individual and family therapy and couple’s psychosexual therapy.

Sandra lives in Toronto, where she has her private practice continuing to focus on Individual and Couples psychosexual therapy. She also consults for media engagements. She is a registrant in good standing with the College of Social Workers, the College of Psychotherapists, a clinical member of Ontario Association Marriage and Family Therapy, and a clinical member of the Board of Examiners in Sex therapy and Counseling in Ontario.

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Sexuality Post Cancer Treatment and Impact on Lymphedema Management

Andrew Simpson, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Andrew Simpson is an Assistant Professor and Wellness Coordinator with the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, and practices at Victoria Hospital/LHSC, department of Plastic Surgery. His research interests and specializations are: Lower extremity reconstruction and salvage, complex wounds, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, and lymphedema.

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New Developments in Surgical Management of Lymphedema at Victoria Hospital, London, ON

Gregory J. Czarnota, PhD, MD

Dr. Czarnota is a Senior Scientist at the Sunnybrook Research Institute and Director of the Cancer Research Program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Czarnota’s lab is conducting research focused on using ultrasound imaging and spectroscopy at conventional- and high-frequencies to detect apoptosis and other forms of cell death in response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In addition to being a Scientist in the Department of Imaging Research, Dr. Czarnota is a Radiation Oncologist with applied research in breast cancer patients. His basic-science research interests include studies in biochemistry, chromatin biology, biophysics, medicine and oncology. He is also Chief of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Sunnybrook and Head of its Radiation Treatment Program.

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Maddie Simone, RMT, CLT

Maddie Simone was certified as a Registered Massage Therapist in 2011 and became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist in 2012. She has a unique passion for lymphedema health, and all her efforts are to honour her two brothers who passed away of a rare connective tissue disorder that cause thoracic aortic dissection.

Maddie has been truly blessed with two beautiful children Aira age 5 and Anthony age 2, and her amazing husband Eric. She possesses the same gene mutation that her brothers carried is the first on medical record to survive the brith of both her first and second child.

Residing in the Windsor Essex Region in Southern Ontario, Maddie established the Lymphedema Awareness Network in 2017 that holds monthly Lymphedema Support Groups. Through the group, she also spearheaded a yearly fundraiser walk for the Lymphedema Association of Ontario's Compassion Fund that gives $500 in treatments to those that cannot otherwise afford it.

In addition to her background as a therapist, Maddie is also a femal founder of three different business entitles; AriAnt Health Inc. being the parent company followed by Angelone Health and Lymphology Skincare, Canada's first skincar line focused on lymphatic care. As a therapist, a woman entrepreneur and founder, and in all comunity endeavors, she likes to educate anyone who will listen on the health of the lymph system, groeing her group of #LymphHustlers across Canada and the globe!

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Importance of Lymphatic Skin Care

Alla Hardoon 

Founder and Medical Director of Care-Med Ltd

Alla is considered a top expert in the GTA and well beyond the province. She has over 16 years of extensive health care experience in Toronto. She acquired her first medical degree in 1988 as a Registered Nurse. She continued her studies in the fields of internal medicine, orthopedics, biomechanics, Primary and Secondary Lymphedema, Post Mastectomy Care, and specializes in Oncology Lymphedema.

Alla is currently a public speaker and educator on the subject of medical compression wear in the field of primary and secondary Lymphedema.

With her skilled and compassionate medical team, Alla provides an extraordinarily comforting and nourishing space for everyone. Her quality of care is superior, and she will always go above the call of duty, to ensure that everyone is cared for.

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Navigating the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) with Lymphedema

Maria Wood

Maria is a certified compression fitter specializing in custom garments for lymphedema patients at Adapt Home Health Care. She been with the company for 17 years. In the past Maria has volunteered for many nonprofits benefiting survivors of domestic violence, Financial Resources for Women and Children, The Sexual Assault Centre of Peel, and the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Education and awareness is very important when working patients, to help them understand how lymphedema is controlled and to live a better life.

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Navigating the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) with Lymphedema

Ann DiMenna, PT, CDT

Ann has over 15 years of clinical experience treating lymphedema, lipedema and related disorders. She is a physiotherapist certified in lymphedema treatment and the Perrin Technique for neuro-lymphatic central dysfunction. Ann has spoken at numerous conferences in the US and Canada, and developed and conducted professional training courses for lymphedema therapists. She is also the co-author of “The Complete Lymphedema Management and Nutrition Guide”, a comprehensive book for all lymphedema patients. She is an active member of the Lymphedema Association of Ontario and has also served previously on the Board of Directors.

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Central Lymphatic Dysfunction and How it Affects Lymphedema

Brandy McKeown, ILWTI

Brandy Mckeown, Co-Owner and CEO of ILWTI is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and Training Instructor. She is nationally recognized as an expert in the field of lymphedema, leader and board member of several industry organizations, and regularly requested to speak at regional and national conventions. She is a 20-year hands on lymphedema practitioner and Director of multiple clinics in South Georgia that specialize in OT/PT therapy, lymphedema therapy and wound healing. In addition to treating patients, she has a wealth of knowledge and track record building successful lymphedema clinics and works to consult OT/PTs and vein clinics to start up and expand their practices profitably.

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Wound Care for Lymphedema Patients and Clinicians

Heather Cirone, BPHE BScPT FCAMT CPedC CDT

Heather Cirone is a registered physiotherapist, certified pedorthist and CDT therapist and is the clinical director of Park Road Physiotherapy and Foot Clinic in Oshawa. She is passionate about lymphedema and has worked in the field for over 12 years. She has been a regular guest speaker for the Hearth Place Cancer Centre and is a new volunteer for the LAO. As a physical educator, Heather particularly enjoys promoting the benefits of exercise and activity for lymphedema.

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Emma Followes, RMT, CDT

The idea to switch to massage therapy sparked during a post-hike massage, as I reflected on pushing my boundaries. My background as a yoga instructor fueled my passion for helping others and understanding the body’s mechanics. Now a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) with two years of training from Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy and advanced certification in Dr. Vodder’s manual lymph drainage, I focus on treating lymphedema and continually enhance my skills through conferences and specialized courses. Based in south Etobicoke, I’m an avid runner who enjoys the local waterfront trails.

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Gentle Chair Yoga (Movement)

Adriana Muth

Adriana is Advocacy Director with LAO since summer of 2021. She is also a lymphedema patient since 2018, following cancer surgery. Cancer led to retirement, and lymphedema led her to LAO. Aware of the lack of information about lymphedema and the limited help available to patients, Adriana decided to join the LAO and try to improve this situation.

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A Patient's Perspective

Deborah Peniuk

As a multi-passionate, serial entrepreneur, ‘Dee’ has crisscrossed the globe thanks to a respected twenty-year career in the elite wellness and travel industry. Clients in public and private sectors trusted her Aya-Life Travel Company to manage all modes of travel, hotel, itineraries, excursions, dining, programming, custom creation of promotional products, and travel insurance for those dealing with serious illness/pre-existing health issues. She often curates cultural educational and wellness experiences in North, Central & South America, the Caribbean, and the UK. Then, in 2015 Deborah was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Priorities shifted and her public cancer battle lead to profiles in short films, talk shows, campaigns, and documentaries. Today, Deborah has integrated her two worlds; Wellness Travel & Cancer/Lymphedema Fundraising/Advocacy, and finds her moving between two travel hubs – Scotland and Colombia. * Some highlights include being recognized in trade publications such as PAX News and performing in the Annie Parker Foundation’s inaugural S.T.A.R.S. * Speaker for Gilda's Club over the past 3 years. * Board Committee member & paddler for "Dragons Abreast" dragon-boat racing team. * Communications Manager and Ambassador for After Breast Cancer. Cancer-Thriver of the month featured in their 2018 calendar. * Requested speaker focused on the well-being of cancer survivors and life with Lymphedema. Deborah has a voice and experience that matters. She can be found on social media @TraveliciousDee & @Conversationlytwl @AYALIFECo.

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A Patient's Perspective

Cathy Burt RN, BScN (Hons), RMT, CDT

Cathy has 36 years of combined experience as a Registered Nurse, Registered Massage Therapist and became a certified Vodder trained lymphedema therapist in 2006. She has dedicated her practice to helping people manage lymphedema. Her passion for the field extends beyond patient care, as she has shared her knowledge through speaking engagements at her local public libraries, conferences and cancer support centers. Recognizing the importance of patient education, Cathy has launched public programs specifically designed for individuals living with lymphedema and those at risk for lymphedema development after breast cancer treatment. Her dedication to empowering others extends beyond the clinic, as she loves to create informative content through educational blogs and YouTube informational videos.

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