News & Events

Lymphedema & Lymphatic Disease Matters, December 2021

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December 2021

From William Repicci, President & CEO

We conclude 2021 with pride and gratitude as we look back on a year filled with unprecedented challenges as well as incredible accomplishments.

During the year, LE&RN was awarded one of the first-ever Expanding the National Approach to Chronic Disease Education and Awareness competitive grants from the CDC and was successful in having Congress call for the establishment of a National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases. 

On World Lymphedema Day 2021, LE&RN presented a very special global celebration—all online. The event was hosted by LE&RN Spokesperson Kathy Bates and featured a debut performance of the one-act play Let's Talk Lymphedema by Brian Daniels, based on the book Let's Talk Lymphoedema by Professor Peter Mortimer and Gemma Levine. This is the first play ever to be written and produced to focus on living with lymphedema.

We continued to expand the Centers of Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases (LD). There are now 35 such Centers around the world and we are now accepting Letters of Intent for institutions that will be added in 2022.

Special thanks to the corporate citizens who have committed to partnering with LE&RN as 2022 Corporate Sponsors. These Sponsors play a critical role in giving back to the community by supporting our programming. Together with our Supporting Members, they are accelerating the global change we seek.

As President & CEO of LE&RN, I thank you for your ongoing support, which makes our progress possible. I am pleased to present you with the December edition of Lymphedema & Lymphatic Disease Matters.

 

Kathy Bates delivers year-end message

On #GivingTuesday, LE&RN Spokesperson Kathy Bates released a new video, asking the lymphatic disease community to support LE&RN's Annual Appeal. We hope you will remember LE&RN during this season of giving back.
Watch Kathy's year-end message
 

Annual Appeal donors to receive early access for Let's Talk Lymphedema

On New Year's Eve, the one-act play, Let's Talk Lymphedema, will be released to all. But Annual Appeal donors will enjoy a preview through an early-access link. Join the fight against lymphedema, lipedema, and lymphatic anomalies today.
Donate to LE&RN's Annual Appeal
 

Desiree Otenti presented with 2021 LE&RN Impact award

On November 6, at the Boston Lymphatic Symposium, LE&RN presented the 2021 Impact Award to Desiree Otenti, Senior Director of Medical Policy and Program Implementation at Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts (BCBS-MA), for her efforts in ensuring the lymphatic surgery be covered by insurance in Massachusetts. Her efforts have become a model for change at leading medical institutions nationwide.

Watch Ms. Otenti's acceptance and read the complete press releaseLE&RN Centers of Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases were a key component in this wonderful development in Massachusetts and now, perhaps, nationwide. 
2021 Impact Award acceptance
 

Not So Swell: Living with Lymphedema new film released

At the beginning of November, LE&RN distributed advance links to early supporters of the 2021 Annual Appeal. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

We congratulate Mary Katzke on this fabulous accomplishment. And we encourage everyone to watch and share this extraordinary new film that shines a light on living with lymphedema. 
Watch "Not So Swell"