World Lymphedema Day
Diverse crowd celebrating World Lymphedema Day
Kathy Bates
Kathy Bates Video
WORLD LYMPHEDEMA DAY IS MARCH 6! WORLD LYMPHEDEMA DAY IS MARCH 6! Globe Wireframe

Join us in supporting World Lymphedema Day 2020!

Our Goal

To make cures for lymphedema and lymphatic diseases a global priority.

Get Involved

WLD is an annual advocate-driven celebration, which was established in 2016 by the United States Senate in response to a bill written by the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN). This is our opportunity to educate the world about the extent of this global "lymphedemic." This includes lymphatic diseases (LD), primary and secondary lymphedema (LE), lipedema (LI), lymphatic filariasis (LF), lymphatic malformations (LM), and the full lymphatic continuum (LC) of diseases impacted by the lymphatic system. The success of this day depends on your efforts to educate the world. Click here to see all of the ways that you can get involved.

Sign the Petition

Here is something you can do right now to show your support. Sign the petition to the World Health Organization (WHO) asking that LD AWARENESS AND CURES be the 2020 global health challenge initiative. Here, you can also leave your comments and share your story.

SIGN THE PETITION
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Learn More About Lymphatic Diseases

Lymphatic Continuum Disease Lymphedema Lipedema Lymphatic Malformations Lymphatic Filariasis
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.