Lymphatic Education and Research Network, Lymphedema Lymphatic Disease

Join us November 18 for this special event on Broadway!

Click here for all tickets and sponsorship opportunities.
A day to give back

Support LE&RN’s #GivingTuesday Facebook fundraiser on 12/3 and join our event page for updates.
Free Livestream Symposium, January 8, 1pm EST

Join us for “Lymph Flow and How it Regulates Lymphatic Function” with Dr. Joshua Scallan.
Free Livestream Symposium, December 18, 1pm EST

Join us for “Navigating the NIH landscape in search of opportunities for extramural research: funding, resources, collaborations, advice” with Zorina Galis, Ph.D.
"Living with Lymphedema" video

Watch Kathy Bates deliver a powerful call to action at Harvard.
Introducing Centers of Excellence

Find out how your institution can become a LE&RN Center of Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases (LD).
Are You a Physician?

Learn about lymphatic diseases, earn credits, and get listed in our directory of recommended physicians. Find out more here.
Support this annual advocate-driven event

Join us in educating the world about this global “lymphedemic.”
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Learn More About Lymphatic Diseases

Lymphatic Continuum (LC) refers to the continuum of diseases impacted by the lymphatic system including heart disease, AIDS, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.

Lymphedema (LE) is a chronic, debilitating lymphatic disease that results in disfiguring swelling in one or more parts of the body due to a damaged lymphatic system. WHO estimates over 250 million people suffer from LE worldwide. The swelling is caused by a combination of lymph stagnation and the structural alterations in the tissues. LE can be genetic or inherited (Primary) or it can occur as a consequence of a surgical procedure, infections, radiation therapy, or other forms of physical trauma (Secondary).

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) threatens 1.4 billion people in 73 countries. Commonly known as elephantiasis, 120 million are currently infected by this mosquito carrying parasitic disease. Over 40 million of those affected by LF are disfigured and incapacitated by the disease.

Lipedema (LI) is an adipose tissue disorder or a lipid metabolism disorder that affects approximately 11% of women, often in the hips and legs, but also in the upper arms. Lipedema fat is relatively unresponsive to diet and exercise. Lipedema is both an excess buildup of fat cells in a particular area, and the expansion of those fat cells.

Lymphatic Malformations (LM) are rare, non-malignant masses consisting of fluid-filled channels or spaces caused by the abnormal development of the lymphatic system. LM is usually apparent at birth or by two years of age and most commonly affects the head and neck.