For millions of people living with lymphatic diseases like lymphedema, finding the right care and support can be a long and challenging process. The diseases can appear suddenly or develop after cancer treatment, often leaving patients without a proper diagnosis or treatment for years due to a long-standing lack of medical understanding or awareness. 
Since 2014, Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates has been a powerful advocate whose contributions have altered this trajectory. Through congressional testimony, federal research advocacy, national media visibility, and more than a decade of leadership, Bates has served as the Global Spokesperson for LE&RN, helping to reposition lymphatic diseases as urgent public health priorities deserving ongoing research investment and equitable access to care. She has played a key role in shifting the narrative from isolation and stigma to policy solutions and scientific progress.
As a two-time cancer survivor, Bates was diagnosed with lymphedema after having a double mastectomy for breast cancer. This common complication affects up to one in five breast cancer survivors. Instead of keeping her struggles to herself, she chose to share her story openly, helping others feel less alone.
She has spoken before Congress, participates in national media interviews, meets with leaders in the medical community to advocate for patients, and continues to help raise awareness of this long-overlooked issue. In a heartfelt gesture, Bates even dedicated her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to an eight-year-old girl who also has primary lymphedema. Her commitment and willingness to share her personal journey have led to numerous in-depth media features and interviews with NIH Medline Plus, CBS Sunday Morning, The Today Show, People Magazine, The Doctors, The Dr. Phil Show, The Wendy Williams Show, The Dr. Oz Show, Watch What Happens, and other major outlets that have brought unprecedented visibility to lymphatic diseases. Her 2025 Los Angeles Times article, "When surviving cancer isn’t the end of the fight," exposed over 30 million digital viewers to our cause.
One of Bates' most important contributions was her testimony before the U.S. Congress in 2019, where she successfully advocated for the creation of the first-ever National Commission on Lymphatic Disease. The establishment of this commission marked a historic milestone in officially recognizing lymphatic diseases as a national public health priority and laying the foundation for coordinated federal research, policy guidance, and ongoing investment in improved diagnosis, treatment, and care. She will once again take on this role in 2026, leading the LE&RN Advocates Day on Capitol Hill to push for increased research funding.
Bates has received national awards for her advocacy, including the Research!America Isadore Rosenfeld Award, joining notable figures such as President Joe Biden, for her efforts to raise public awareness of chronic lymphatic diseases. She recorded the Public Service Announcements for the first-ever CDC-funded National Lymphedema Awareness Campaign, which educates patients and healthcare providers about lymphedema's causes, symptoms, and treatments. She annually delivers the welcome message for the official World Lymphedema Day video and keynotes major events, including the Gordon Research Conference in Lymphatics, the Lymphedema Symposium at Harvard Medical School, the Canadian Lymphedema Framework National Conference, and the American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting. She also recorded a message for the official lymphedema webpage of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition to this, Bates has contributed to numerous important books and publications on lymphatic diseases, including "Let's Talk Lymphedema" (Chapter, edited by Prof, Peter Mortimer/ Gemma Levine) Keeping the Train on the Track (Forward) by Dr. Dhruv Singhal, Harvard Medical School Hospitals, and Win Against Breast Cancer (in Chinese) Dr. Ming-Huei Cheng, (book forward).
Through her dedication and action, Bates has driven real change in the medical community and the lives of the hundreds of millions worldwide living with lymphedema and lymphatic-related diseases. Her leadership has elevated lymphatic diseases so that they, and the people who suffer from them, receive the attention they deserve. We thank her for her ongoing support and commitment, which have been instrumental in ushering in a new era of treatments and cures for lymphatic diseases.
Kathy Bates in the News
October 23, 2025 - The Los Angeles Times - When surviving cancer isn’t the end of the fight
September 14, 2025 - People Magazine - Inside Kathy Bates' Weight Loss Journey: Everything the Actress Has Said About Her Health
October 22, 2024 - Onco Daily - Kathy Bates Ovarian and Breast Cancer: How She Went Against, How She Survived, and More
September 27, 2024 - Woman's World - Kathy Bates Shares Her Wellness and Weight Loss Secrets: ‘I Do It For Me’
July 20, 2022 - NIH MedLinePlus Magazine - Kathy Bates is Figuring Out How to Live with Lymphedema
March 22, 2021 - survivornet - Breast Cancer Survivor Kathy Bates, 72, is Dedicated to Lymphedema Awareness
December 25, 2019 - survivornet - Cancer Survivor Kathy Bates on Her Big Year
December 14, 2019 - Today - Kathy Bates opens up about double mastectomy and the painful condition that followed
November 25, 2019 - survivornet - Actor Kathy Bates Says Even Holding Up a Book Is Hard Due to Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Surgery
November 18, 2019 - 24Hour Plays - Honoring Kathy Bates and raising money for LE&RN
April 11, 2019 - survivornet - The Hollywood Stars Who’ve Made The Brave Decision To Undergo Double Mastectomies Due to Breast Cancer
April 9, 2019 - Testimony - Kathy Bates' testimony on behalf of LE&RN before the House Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee.
April 8, 2019 - Morning Joe - Kathy Bates talks about why she will testify Tuesday before the House Committee on Appropriations.
March 6,2019 - Yahoo! Lifestyle - Kathy Bates on Surviving Cancer Twice. "When you see what you're affraid of, you can face it."
January 30, 2019 - Good Morning America - Kathy Bates discusses weight loss and lymphedema.
January 24, 2019 - survivornet - Actress & Survivor Kathy Bates: Value The Moment & The World Needs to Understand Lymphedema
January 16, 2019 - WebMD - WebMD Honors Health Heroes Fighting Cancer. Features Kathy Bates and her battle with cancer and lymphedema.
January 3, 2019 - Dr. Phil Show - Kathy Bates, Dr. Stanley Rockson, and Emma Detlefsen talk to Dr. Phil about lymphedema.
September 1, 2018 - People Magazine - Kathy Bates on Battling Cancer Twice and Surviving Lymphedema: 'I Felt That Life Was Over.'
May 11, 2018 - AOL - Kathy Bates on overcoming the lowest point of her life and channeling it into positive change.
March 26, 2018 - USA Today - Actress Kathy Bates on Her Cancer Journey.
January 6, 2018 - Journal of Rehabilitation Oncology - “Lymphedema Special Issue: Kathy Bates tells Her Story”
November 13, 2017 - People Magazine - 25 Women Changing the World - Including Kathy Bates as an LD advocate.
November 5, 2017 - Kathy Bates Article in Luxury Living - Kathy Bates talks about living with lymphedema.
July 29, 2017 - Parade Magazine - From cancer to career changes, Kathy Bates talks life's challenges.
July 13, 2017 - Jezebel - Kathy Bates told not to be a disease poster child.
April 6, 2017 - WebMD - Kathy Bates Reflects on Life With Lymphedema
March 15, 2017 - Research!America - Award-winning actress Kathy Bates, recipient of Research!America's 2017 Isadore Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion
November 11, 2016 - A Wellness Update - Getting lymphedema "felt like a punishment for having cancer"
November 9, 2016 - American College of Phlebology - Kathy Bates presents, "The Human Cost of Lymphedema."
September 16, 2016 - Kathy Bates Honored With Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star - Dedicates it to LE&RN Youth Ambassador Emma Detlefsen.
April 14, 2016 - CBS Sunday Morning - Interview with Kathy Bates on living with lymphedema.
March 30, 2016 - Hallmark Channel - Interview with Kathy Bates and lymphedema.
March 1, 2016 - Women's Health Magazine - Kathy Bates details her personal struggle of overcoming cancer.
October 23, 2015 - NIH Record – “Kathy Bates Kicks Off NIH Lymphatic Symposium”
September 29, 2015 - Kathy Bates Video Keynoting NIH Symposium 2015
September 17, 2015 - Kathy Bates Kicks Off New York Walk
July 3, 2015 - Dear Doctor - Kathy Bates talks about living with lymphedema.
June 23, 2015 - Kathy Bates’ Speech to kick off fundraiser for first California Walk
June 22, 2015 - Kathy Bates Interviewed by Larry King on Lymphedema - Kathy Bates opens up about her battle with lymphedema.
June 9, 2015 - Kathy Bates speaks about lymphedema at The American Cancer Society Ball - Kathy Bates coutinues to bring awareness to lymphatic diseases.
February 14, 2015 - Kathy Bates Reveals Her Struggle with Lymphedema Interview - Kathy Bates talks about why she decided to become LE&RN's spokesperson.