From William Repicci, President & CEO
I returned from the biennial Gordon Research Conference this month and reflect on how much the field has changed. Ten years ago, I recall only one session at this conference that focused on clinical applications of research. Today, sessions with direct application to treatments of lymphatic diseases abounded. These include advances in lymphedema (LE), lipedema, and lymphatic anomalies. There is no denying that there is still a long way to go before these advances reach those living with LDs. However, the acceleration of progress is breathtaking.
In addition, new LD research funding sources have emerged. In 2023, LE and LD research will be funded through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) for the first time in history thanks to our community’s lobbying efforts. If our researchers succeed in being awarded even 5% of the Department of Defense $400M medical research budget, it will nearly match current LD research levels at NIH.
All this is possible because of your advocacy and support. As LE&RN conducts its Annual Giving Appeal, I thank the three advocates living with lymphatic disease who told their stories to inspire your support. Will Miles, Michelle Donnelly, and James Russell—you not only inspire us, you honor both LE&RN and our community.
With great pleasure, I present our latest issue of Lymphedema & Lymphatic Disease Matters.
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Michelle Donnelly Tells Her Story for LE&RN's Annual Appeal
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Michelle Donnelly is a young woman in the UK living with a lymphatic disease. We asked her to tell us what it's like to live with a lymphatic disease and to encourage you to give to our annual appeal. To read Michelle's full story, please visit this page.
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LE&RN/LYMPHNOTES US LymphedemaTherapist Scholarship: Application Deadline extended to January 6, 2023
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The application for the 2022 U.S. Lymphedema Therapist Scholarship is now open and the deadline has been extended to January 6, 2023. We anticipate being able to award 9 additional scholarships this cycle.
The LE&RN/LymphNotes U.S. Lymphedema Therapist Scholarship was established to meet the need for additional lymphedema therapists in the United States. Complete details about the Scholarship can be found on this webpage.
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Announcing newly designated LE&RN Referral Network, Surgery, Surgery Network and Conservative Care Centers of Excellence
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In November, LE&RN announced newly designated LE&RN Referral Network, Surgery, Surgery Network and Conservative Care Centers of Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases. These institutions now join our current list of Centers around the globe.
We are now accepting Letters of Intent from institutions interested in applying for consideration as future LE&RN Centers of Excellence.
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Registration is now open for Lymphatic Forum in Banff, Canada, June 13-17, 2023
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The Lymphatic Forum 2023 (LF2023) is the fifth iteration of this biennial event that brings together researchers from around the world to present and discuss studies of lymphatics in health and disease. This year's event will address the significant role and functions of the lymphatic system in the various organs of the human body.
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Inspiring Comeback: The James Russell Interview
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James Russell is a teacher at Clarkstown South High School in Rockland County, NY. Russell graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College, received a Masters in Social Studies Education from NYU, and another Masters Degree in Education. Russell's primary lymphedema (LE) atypically presented itself when he was in his late thirties, instead of during his teenage years. Thanks to LE&RN, Russell recently consulted with Dr. Dhruv Singhal’s team at the Boston Lymphatic Center, a LE&RN Center of Excellence.
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Thanks to LE&RN’s lobbying efforts, the door has been opened in FY2023 for your research to access the approximately $400 million in funding granted by the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). Only those diseases approved by Congress are eligible. We now need input from researchers.
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LE&RN-GRC Leadership Awards
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 We congratulate the awardees of the prestigious biennial LE&RN-GRC Leadership Awards that were announced at the Gordon Research Conference in Italy on November 3rd.
Photo: Dr. Stan Rockson (LE&RN), Michael Davis, PhD, Taija Makinen (GRC-Co-Chair), Timothy Padera, PhD (GRC-Co-Chair)
The LE&RN-GRC Lifetime and Career Achievement Awards in Lymphatic Research recognize those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the promotion and support of lymphatic research, to advancing lymphatic research and/or finding improved treatments and cures for lymphatic diseases (LD).
 Photo: Timothy Padera, PhD (GRC-Co-Chair), Natasha Harvey, PhD, Taija Makinen (GRC-Co-Chair)
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual with a career of outstanding achievements spanning over 20 years. The 2022 recipient is Michael Davis, PhD of School of Medicine, University of Missouri.
The Career Achievement Award is presented to an individual with outstanding achievements spanning fewer than 20 years The 2022 Award was presented to Natasha Harvey, PhD of the Centre for Cancer Biology, University Of South Australia.
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Thanks to those who contributed on #GivingTuesday
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We thank those who made their year-end contributions on #GivingTuesday. Remember, there is still time to give on Facebook and at CureLymph.org.
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On November 17, Andrzej Stec, JDPSN & Kathy Park, JDPSN presented ZEN and the Art of Living with Lipedema: Great Challenges Offer Great Opportunities. It is now available on LE&RN's Symposium page.
All past LE&RN Symposiums are available on LE&RN's website.
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Become a LE&RN Supporting Member
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LE&RN's education, research, and advocacy programs are only possible because of Corporate Sponsors and Supporting Members. Please acknowledge the support of these Corporate Sponsors (listed below) and support LE&RN through your membership.
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Upcoming Events
- December 1, 2022 - In this LE&RN Symposium, Leslyn Keith, OTD, CLT-LANA & Siobhan Huggins present - Understanding the Voices of Lipedema: Stories of Grace, Hope & Resilience. Register here.
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