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BCLA COMMITTEES
These general descriptions provide background for the BCLA committee structure. All Committee Chairs will ensure that their group complies with the legal and financial responsibilities of a BC Society and a registered charity and with the mission and goals of the BC Lymphedema Association.
Standing Committees
EXECUTIVE
Chair/President: Sandi McConnach
Vice President: 'Lyn Anglin
Treasurer: Jennifer Byrnell
Secretary: Jutta Owens
Past President: Christine Chandler
The Executive Committee is comprised of the Board members that hold current executive positions, including President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The Past-President is welcome to attend to Executive Committee matters at their own discretion. This committee determines governance guidelines and protocols, prepares the Annual General Meeting to fulfill requirements of Constitution & Bylaws and ensures that all functions of the association are being carried out.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chair: Jennifer Byrnell
Members: Sandi McConnach
FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT 2022-
Chair: Sandi McConnach
Members: Willa Condy Seymour, Janine Leitch
This committee provides the direction for all revenue-producing aspects of BCLA, which may include membership drives, donation campaigns, special events, and grant writing. They will take the lead and work in tandem with the Marketing & Communications Committee to create materials for launch of special campaigns or events. They work in cooperation with the Finance Committee to determine the budgetary needs of the organization and do what’s necessary to provide the required revenue.
MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & IT
Sub-Committees
Social Medial: Gail Reichert, Willa Condy Seymour, Jenna Lafleche
Newsletter: Willa Condy Seymour, Janine Leitch
Directory: Christine Chandler (correct)
Membership: Colleen O’Farrell
The Marketing & Communications Committee assists the organization in the creation of tools, such as newsletters, e-blasts, meeting announcements plus postings on our Facebook Group page. These are intended to reach out to members and lymphedema stakeholders with a timely and sound message. Directors and members may submit articles for distribution through these channels. This committee works in conjunction with the Fundraising & Development Committee, providing the promotional materials to assist in revenue-producing effort and launch of special events.
HEALTH CARE ADVISORY
Chair: President
Members: Koby Blanchfield (RMT, CDT -LANE, Instructor, Dr Vodder School ), Janet Sprague (PT,CDT -LANA), Carol Armstrong (RMT, CDT-LANA), Jenna LaFleche (RMT),
Our Healthcare Advisory Committee is a group of individuals who have offered their expertise in their particular field of knowledge to help BCLA. They are welcome to join board conference calls or special events, but are not expected to, nor do they have any governing responsibilities/liability or voting privileges other than membership in the organization.
They review current practices and advice regarding new approaches to the care and management of lymphedematous disorders, acting as a resource for medically related questions received through the information line or through e-mails to BCLA.
They may also provide, referrals, resources, and current health information by sourcing out evidence-based health information for the management of lymphatic disorders.
Temporary AD-HOC COMMITTEES
These are special committees formed for a specific task or objective, and then dissolved after completion of the task or achievement of the objective.
ADVOCACY (est. 2019)
Chair: Christine Chandler
Members: Willa Condy \-Seymour, Carol Armstrong, Michelle McHattie, Kathlene McCuaig Janet Frost ( on leave)
Formed to gather data and prepare materials in readiness for approaching the Ministry of Health for funding for Lymphedema patients. Terms of Reference Document - Advocacy Committee
PLANNING (Education/Events)
Chair: Sandi McConnach
Members: Janine Leitch, Christine Chandler, Beth Sukha Barker (volunteer)
This committee will be concerned with matters of education and advocacy. Engaged in the work of planning Education days in the year and location decided by the Board. They will liaise with the Marketing & Communications Committee to assist with providing promotional materials about specific events as required.Each event will be responsible for funding initiatives to support the event.
These are special committees formed for a specific task or objective, and then dissolved after the completion the task or achievement of the objective. These are special committees formed for a specific task or objective, and then dissolved after the completion the task or achievement of the objective.
FUND DISTRIBUTION 2022
Chair: Jutta Owens
Members: Sandi McConnach, Willa Condy Seymour, Beth Sukha Barker ( volunteer)
This committee was formed to establish criteria for the distribution of funds raised for specific projects as determined by the board . Such projects are established as part of the goal setting process at each annual Strategic Planning Meeting. Terms of Reference Document
MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
JANET SPRAGUE ~ MLD physiotherapist
Janet is a Registered Physiotherapist BHScPT and Certified Lymphedema Therapist (LANA). She received her lymphedema certification from Guenter Klose of the Foeldi Clinic in 1995. Janet’s caseload is predominantly providing lymphedema therapy and physiotherapy to people with both primary and secondary lymphedema. This includes manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy and exercise. She has a strong interest in patients recovering from breast cancer, melanoma and other cancers or surgeries that have impacted the lymph nodes and lymphatic system including problems such as axillary cording, radiation fibrosis and mobility issues.
Janet also has a wide range of experience treating patients with orthopaedic problems. In 2010 she completed her yoga teacher certification (RYT200) and often applies yoga concepts and poses when planning rehab and exercise programs for her patients. She strives to provide the best care possible to her patients and uses education, exercise programs and manual therapy techniques. www.janetspraguept.ca
LINDA (KOBY) BLANCHFIELD, RMT, CLT-LANA
Linda (Koby) Blanchfield is an RMT, of twenty nine years and 27 years of experience working with lymphatic pathologies including primary and secondary lymphedema. She believes that while volume reduction is important, patient education and self management are equally important.
Koby has maintained her status as a Vodder Certified MLD Therapist since 1992, regularly attending Vodder Therapist Reviews. She is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) with the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) since 2002. She has maintained her standing with LANA by attending conferences sponsored by the International Society of Lymphology, the International Lymphedema Framework, the Canadian Lymphedma Framework, the National Lymphedema Network (2016 presenter), the Australasian Lymphology Association.
Koby is also a Certified Instructor (all levels) with the Dr. Vodder School/Dr. Vodder Academy International and travels internationally to teach manual lymph drainage and combined decongestive therapy to a variety health care professionals.
CAROL ARMSTRONG, RMT, MLD/CDT, AGF
Carol is a Registered Massage Therapist in Victoria BC, who certified in Manual Lymph Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy in 1993 (Vodder). In 2004 she pursued training in measuring medical compression garments as a way of providing Best Practice Care to patients living with Lymphedema. Educating patients on the appropriate compression class and type of fabric for the stage of lymphedema is an important aspect of self-management for patients. Having worked with many severe cases of lymphedema and seeing this impact on lifestyle and disability, Carol is passionate about early identification and screening of swelling, encouraging patients to adopt early self-management strategies to mitigate impact and to lead full and active lives.
Carol, along with Denise Drisdelle, volunteer with InspireHealth to offer monthly information sessions on Lymphedema to patients at risk or who already have developed symptoms.
JENNA LaFLECHE
Jenna LaFleche is a graduate of the Canadian College of Massage Therapy and is registered in good standing with the CMTBC. Currently living in Victoria, BC, she began her massage therapy education in 2009 while studying abroad in Munich, Germany at the Staatliche Berufsfachschule für Massage am Klinikum Großhadern. This unique experience has given her an immersive education in the science and art of therapeutic massage. In both Canada and in Europe she has had the oppourtunity to work with many different people from all walks of life to help her better understand the healing process and to further develop her skills in the nature of pain management, manual therapy, connective tissue therapy, and therapeutic exercise.
Jenna has expanded her knowledge and skillset in completing Level 3 of the Dr. Vodder Method of Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in 2019. She offers custom compression garment fitting and local resources to better aid her patients who are managing Post-surgical swelling, Lymphedema, Lipedema and Venous Insufficiency.
COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS
GAIL REICHERT - Facebook posts
Gail moved to Sechelt in 2011 shortly after retiring from a teaching career that spanned 30+ years. She taught every grade from 1 to 6 but loved working with children in grades 3 and 4. She also was a literacy specialist in a number of schools as well as worked as a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, teaching teachers how to work with struggling readers in K to 3.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after retiring and had a double mastectomy before moving to the coast. Though she had great after surgery care, in Alberta, and was informed of what to do and not do with regards to lymphedema, she end up developing lymphedema in her arm as a result of moving a small empty hutch. She knew immediately that something was not right and within a short period of time her arm began to swell. Unable to secure any assistance from knowledgeable sources until about 8 weeks after, her arm became more swollen. The treatment secured at that time was unsuccessful and it wasn’t until a fitter in Vancouver steered her in the direction of Dr. Elliot Weiss, at St. Paul’s hospital, that she finally got the help and support that she needed. Dr. Weiss and his physiotherapist Fatima Inglis, were not only able to provide her with the treatment plan she needed but also encouraged her to become involved in the BC Lymphedema Association. At the time, they were both serving on the BCLA board. The Pathway’s magazine helped her secure the services of an RMT who completed her treatment team and was also instrumental in her becoming a participant in a couple of research projects at UBC in Vancouver.
WILLA CONDY SEYMOUR
Willa Condy Seymour has lived in B.C. all of her life. She has Primary Tarda whole body Lymphedema which started up when she was 50 and started in the left side of her face and neck. After three years of searching for answers she was diagnosed with Lymphedema Tarda and started looking for answers. Her Lymphedema continued to cross quadrants until it covered her total body.
She lives in Trail B.C. with her husband. Photography and writing are her hobbies and she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her favourite exercise is in the pool which she enjoys for the positive impact the aquatic exercise makes on her Lymphedema.
Don’t sweat the small stuff has become her mantra since dealing with her Lymphedema. That and spreading the word about Lymphedema and other lymphatic conditions.