Welcome to the 9th Annual Lymphoma Canada Patient and Caregiver Conference! For 27 years, Lymphoma Canada has been working tirelessly to empower patients and the lymphoma community through education, support, advocacy, and research. In this session, you will hear opening remarks from the CEO at Lymphoma Canada, Antonella Rizza, followed by an address from the conference chair, Dr. Graeme Fraser.

At Lymphoma Canada, we often hear from patients and caregivers about the ways lymphoma has impacted their lives. Every lymphoma journey is different, each with their own challenges. This session will feature a patient and caregiver to share their personal story, including the obstacles they encountered, and the lessons they learned along the way.

For patients newly diagnosed, it can be confusing to navigate a cancer diagnosis and to prepare and set appropriate expectations for management of your lymphoma. It is important to understand the resources and support networks available to help you through your journey. This session will provide an overview of important information for lymphoma patients about their diagnosis and clinical course, discussing the different phases a patient may go through following diagnosis. 

This session will explore how lymphoma and CLL, along with their treatments, can affect the immune system. You will learn about the risk of infections, the role of vaccines, and steps you can take to protect your health during treatment. The session will provide practical information to help you feel more prepared and supported in managing your immune health.

This session will introduce patients to targeted therapies, a newer approach to treating lymphoma and CLL that works by focusing on specific features of cancer cells. You will learn how these treatments differ from traditional chemotherapy, what types of targeted therapies are available, and what patients can expect in terms of benefits and side effects. The session will help you better understand how these therapies may play a role in your treatment journey.

Lymphoma is an umbrella term for over 80 lymphoma subtypes. Each subtype of lymphoma has its own clinical course, which means that each subtype has its own specific set of symptoms, diagnostic testing, staging (extent and spread of lymphoma), prognosis (outcome), treatment options, and follow-up care and management. In this session, Dr. Shannon Murphy will explain how different subtypes of lymphoma can affect treatment options, prognosis, and management strategies. Attendees will gain insights into the significance of accurate subtype identification for making informed decisions about their care and navigating their lymphoma journey effectively.

This break-out session will overview the disease-specific biology of Lymphoma (HL). In this session, Dr. Jacqueline Costello, an expert in this field, will cover treatments available for this lymphoma subtype in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory setting. Novel therapies and research will also be discussed for the future treatment of HL, and how this contributes to the Canadian-specific treatment of lymphoma.

This break-out session will overview the disease-specific biology of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Dr. Carolyn Owen, an expert in this field, will cover treatments available for this lymphoma subtype in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory setting. Novel therapies and research will also be discussed for the future treatment of DLBCL, and how this contributes to the Canadian-specific treatment of lymphoma.

This break-out session will overview the disease-specific biology of Mantle Cell Lymphoma (FL). Dr. Mary-Margaret Keating, an expert in this field, will cover treatments available for this lymphoma subtype in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory setting. Novel therapies and research will also be discussed for the future treatment of MCL, and how this contributes to the Canadian-specific treatment of lymphoma.

This break-out session will overview the disease-specific biology of CLL/SLL. Dr. Graeme Fraser, an expert in this field, will cover treatments available for this lymphoma subtype in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory setting. Novel therapies and research will also be discussed for the future treatment of CLL/SLL, and how this contributes to the Canadian-specific treatment of lymphoma.

This break-out session will overview the disease-specific biology of Follicular Lymphoma (FL). Dr. Robert Puckrin, an expert in this field, will cover treatments available for this lymphoma subtype in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory setting. Novel therapies and research will also be discussed for the future treatment of FL, and how this contributes to the Canadian-specific treatment of lymphoma.

This break-out session will overview the disease-specific biology of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM). In this session, Dr. Neil Berinstein, an expert in this field will cover treatments available for this lymphoma subtype in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory setting. Novel therapies and research will also be discussed for the future treatment of WM, and how this contributes to the Canadian-specific treatment of lymphoma.

This break-out session will overview the disease-specific biology of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. In this session, an expert in this field will cover treatments available for this lymphoma subtype in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory setting. Novel therapies and research will also be discussed for the future treatment of CTCL, and how this contributes to the Canadian-specific treatment of lymphoma.

During this live session, questions will be answered by an expert on Hodgkin lymphoma. This is your opportunity to ask any questions about the development, treatment, and novel clinical trials of Hodgkin Lymphoma

During this live session, questions will be answered by several experts on aggressive lymphoma subtypes. This is your opportunity to ask any questions about the development, treatment, and novel clinical trials of aggressive B-cell lymphomas.

During this live session, questions will be answered by several experts on indolent lymphoma subtypes. This is your opportunity to ask any questions about the development, treatment, and novel clinical trials of Indolent Non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

During this live session, questions will be answered by several experts on indolent lymphoma subtypes. This is your opportunity to ask any questions about the development, treatment, and novel clinical trials of CTCL.

This session will help patients understand what clinical trials are, why they are important, and how they may provide access to new treatment options for lymphoma and CLL. You will learn about the process of finding and joining a trial, common questions to ask your healthcare team, and what participation may involve. The session aims to make clinical trials less overwhelming and more approachable as part of your care journey.

This panel will bring together a hematologist, nurse, social worker, and patient to discuss how treatment decisions are made in partnership. Panelists will explore the importance of clear communication, understanding patient goals and values, and ensuring that medical options are aligned with what matters most to each individual. Attendees will gain practical insights into how patients and care teams can work together to navigate choices, balance benefits and side effects, and support quality of life throughout the lymphoma and CLL journey.

This session will focus on the unique emotional challenges faced by caregivers of people living with lymphoma and CLL. You will learn about common sources of stress, strategies for coping, and resources that can provide support. The session will highlight the importance of caregiver wellbeing and offer practical ways to care for yourself while supporting a loved one.

This session will discuss how nutrition can support your health during and after treatment for lymphoma and CLL. You will learn about practical food choices, managing treatment-related side effects that affect eating, and tips for maintaining strength and energy. The session will provide guidance to help you feel more confident about your diet throughout your care journey.

This session will explore how exercise can play an important role in managing fatigue and supporting overall wellbeing during and after treatment. You will learn about safe and practical ways to stay active, even with limited energy, and how regular movement can improve strength, mood, and recovery. The session will provide guidance to help you find an approach to exercise that fits your needs and abilities.