Epa Gousopoulos, M.D., MSc
Chair, Europe Chapter
Switzerland

The initiation of LE&RN Europe Chapter, with Switzerland as the first affiliated country, comes at the moment LE&RN embraced the challenge to lead an international campaign to recognize International Lymphedema Awareness day and expand the network beyond the borders of the US. 

LE&RN Europe will be the official representation of the LE&RN activities in European territory and the reference for the European affiliated country-chapters. 

LE&RN and LE&RN Europe Chapter share the same mission, namely to fight lymphatic disease and lymphedema through education, research and advocacy. Towards better understanding of lymphatic disease and lymphedema there is an urgent need to identify synergistic approaches to accelerate the prevention and treatment of lymphatic-related diseases. Despite being rich in research groups that focus on the lymphatic system as well as industrial resources, Europe is lacking institutional structures, particularly those that aim to patient advocacy and policy making for lymphatic diseases. Having identified this gap and driven by my passion as physician and scientist to unravel the mysteries of the lymphatic system, my aim has been to bring LE&RN in Europe, adapted and adjusted to the needs and temperament of the European audience.

Europe LE&RN activities will focus on the following 3 pillars:

Network: Development of a Network for Physicians – Therapists – Patients, which will enable collaborations, exchange and advancing in the fight against lymphatic diseases. 

Research: Development of grant-schemes to encourage and motivate both clinical and basic research on lymphatic diseases and particularly lymphedema. Particular focus will be given to interdisciplinary approaches and novel technologies with applications to lymphatic diseases and lymphatic biology.

Education: For both patients and physicians. Patient education will be supported through local, regional or hospital-based initiatives (e.g. educational workshops) whereas physician education will be attempted in collaboration with University representatives (educational curriculum of medical faculties) and policy makers (EU).  

Epameinondas Gousopoulos, M.D., MSc
Chair, Europe Chapter