Belgium, Canada, United States, 01 November 2023 – The American Limb Preservation Society, the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association, D-Foot International, and Wounds Canada are excited to announce a global collaboration to bring change to the fight for limb preservation. This alliance unites regional, national, and international organizations to fight against unnecessary limb amputations. This alliance combines efforts in education, advocacy, and awareness.
Every 20 seconds, somewhere around the world someone loses their leg because of diabetes. Moving away from a time when amputation stood as the sole recourse, today’s approach emphasizes preserving resections and undertaking intricate reconstructions, marking a significant leap forward in treating diabetic foot ulcers. In recent decades, the realm of diabetic foot ulcers and their complications has witnessed remarkable progress. Amputation is no longer the exclusive solution for managing damaged bone and soft tissue in extremities. Function-preserving alternatives for such lesions have become standard practice, offering effective local control without jeopardizing overall disease survival. This shift has not only documented improvement in the quality of life for patients but has also rendered amputation no longer the primary approach.
“Limb Preservation is a global challenge. D Foot is pleased to work with our partners collaboratively to reduce unnecessary amputations resulting from diabetes. We can harness the power of the many professionals working to make an impact on the lives of citizens through education and awareness campaigns led by our organizations.” – Dr. Zulfiqarali G. Abbas, Consultant Physician, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, President of D-Foot International.
“As we embark on this transformative journey with the Limb Preservation Alliance (LPA), we see an unprecedented opportunity to amplify the voice of ALPS on a global scale. Through collaboration and shared vision, the LPA becomes a powerful platform to advocate for limb preservation. Together, we will not only save limbs but also grow a resounding voice that echoes the mission of the American Limb Preservation Society across borders, fostering change, and inspiring innovation in the realm of limb preservation.” – Dr. David G. Armstrong, ALPS Founding President and Professor of Surgery at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Howard Green, CPMA – “The Canadian Podiatric Medical Association has worked closely with Wounds Canada, D-Foot International and others on Limb Preservation. We are proud to partner on the Limb Preservation Symposium and the Limb Preservation Journal. This initiative extends our partnerships and will amplify our voices on this issue. We look forward to the many initiatives this will afford us”.
Dr. Virginie Blanchette, podiatrist PhD UQTR, Wounds Canada, CPMA, ALPS education committee – “I am extremely pleased about this collaboration for the foot health of all people at-risk of or living with an amputation. This Alliance will not only enhance limb-preservation efforts but above all will bring the efforts together under a single umbrella. I am fortunate to work closely with three of these founding organizations (ALPS, Wounds Canada and CPMA), and I have recently joined D-Foot International. This alliance will support knowledge mobilization and best practice implementations.”
The Limb Preservation Alliance will continue to work together on future projects and campaigns to raise awareness for limb preservation best practices. One of the upcoming campaigns will evolve around Diabetes Month this month. Join us in this global public health initiative. For more information or to participate in our activities, please contact one of our alliance partners:
- American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS): Annkathrin Mathe (am@cap-partner.eu)
- Canadian Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA): Joel Alleyne (jalleyne@podiatrycanada.org)
- D-Foot International: secretariat@d-foot.org
- Wounds Canada: Christina Locmelis (christina.locmelis@woundscanada.ca)
About the American Limb Preservation Society
ALPS is a 503(c)(3) non-profit whose vision is to eliminate preventable amputations over the next generation. Our mission is to promote interdisciplinary teams to advance science, clinical care, advocacy, awareness, and education of limb preservation through increased access to resources and specialized care that lowers the rates of limb amputations and improves patient-centered outcomes. At ALPS we believe that interdisciplinarity is the way forward to saving the limbs of patients! Learn more at www.limbpreservationsociety.org.
About Canadian Podiatric Medical Association
The Canadian Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) is a non-profit organization working on behalf of its 400-plus members – Canada’s premier foot specialists. We are dedicated to enhancing the profession of podiatry and increasing awareness among Canadians about the importance of good foot health care. CPMA acts as the national voice for podiatrists in Canada, serving as a resource for legislative and policy changes affecting podiatry both provincially and federally. Learn more at https://www.podiatrycanada.org/
About D-Foot International
D-Foot International is a registered international non-profit association under Belgian law promoting the global profile of diabetic foot prevention and care through awareness, guidance, education, research, and professional development. The aim of the association is to prevent and reduce the number of lower limb amputations from diabetes worldwide. D-Foot International is the implementation group of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF). Learn more at https://d-foot.org/
About Wounds Canada
Wounds Canada, a health charity founded in 1995, leads the way in advocating for best practices in wound prevention and management. WC addresses the silent crisis of wounds, which affects countless Canadians and costs our healthcare systems billions each year. They specialize in providing essential wound-related information, aiming to reduce the occurrence of life-altering wounds and ensure those affected by wounds receive adequate care.
The mission of the organization is to extend beyond individual health. WC strives to mitigate wounds’ wider impact on families, communities, and our health systems. By offering resources, advocacy, education, and events, they support diverse networks of patients, families, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and sector leaders across the country. Visit www.woundscanada.ca to learn more about Wounds Canada and our commitment to enhancing Canadians’ quality of life.