Abstract
Lymphatic Education & Research Network Calls on Lymphatic Researchers to Work in Partnership for Advances and Funding
At the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN)/NAVBO-sponsored Lymphatic Forum in Austin, TX in June 2019, >100 researcher signatories signed LE&RN's petition to Congress and NIH asking for increases in lymphatic research funding. LE&RN, determined to continue the momentum and partnership that was built as a result of that initiative, wrote a series of e-mails to lymphatic researchers in September, asking researchers to commit to this ongoing partnership to advance lymphatic research at the federal level through a series of action steps. The e-mails can be accessed on LE&RN's website at lymphaticnetwork.org/news-events/important-information-for-le-and-ld-researchers.
LE&RN Seeks Help in Creating Lymphatic Researcher Database for NIH
LE&RN has proposed, and NIH has accepted, that we provide a list of all lymphatic researchers and their institutions, along with brief summaries of their research focus. LE&RN will provide hard copies of this document to every NIH Institute and build a comprehensive webpage, including a link to each researcher's PubMed webpage, searchable by name, institution, and topic. Visit LE&RN's website at this link for complete details on how you can participate: lymphaticnetwork.org/news-events/nih-lymphatic-researcher-database.
LE&RN Becomes Member of National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Coalition
LE&RN is now a member of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Coalition, creating connections for science.
Trans-Agency Blood–Brain Interface Program (R61/R33: Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to support high risk/high reward research on the blood/vascular component and regulation of the neurovascular blood unit (a.k.a., blood–brain barrier [BBB]) in normal and pathological states to create enhanced/modified platforms that more closely model the human BBB. Research addressing vascular, hemostatic, hematopoietic, and/or immune cell interaction across the blood–brain interface is of particular interest. This initiative will serve to stimulate the development of a new field of science and redefine the neurovascular unit to also include the blood/vascular component to develop the next generation of preclinical human cellular model systems of the human BBB to complement research currently based on animal models. For more information, visit grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-20-021.html.
Cam Ayala Delivered Keynote Address at Lymphedema Patient Symposium, Boston
LE&RN Celebrity Ambassador and Honorary Board Member Cam Ayala delivered the keynote address “Living Through the Trial of Primary Lymphedema” at the sold-out Lymphedema Patient Symposium in Boston on September 28. LE&RN President and CEO William Repicci introduced the keynote.
LE&RN Board Chair Debbie Miles' Successful Activism for the LTA
LE&RN Board Chair Debbie Miles successfully secured cosponsorship of the Lymphedema Treatment Act from Senator Lindsey Graham in September.
Celebrities Diane Gilman and Wendy Williams Join Honorary Board at LE&RN
Fashion designer and QVC/HSN on-air personality Diane Gilman and television talk show host Wendy Williams have joined LE&RN's Honorary Board. LE&RN Celebrity Ambassadors are committed to using their platforms to expand awareness of lymphedema (LE) and lymphatic diseases (LD).
LE&RN to Announce First Centers of Excellence
Qualifying Centers of Excellence institutions will be announced in early 2020. LE&RN Centers of Excellence will provide a geographically diverse network of multidisciplinary clinical care and service centers for individuals and families affected by LDs. Learn more at lymphaticnetwork.org/site/centers-of-excellence.
LE&RN Offers Free CME Access to American Society of Breast Surgeons and American Venous & Lymphatic Society Members
LE&RN has offered members of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American Venous & Lymphatic Society (formerly the American College of Phlebology) free access to LE&RN's 7-credit Physician CME: Lymphatic-Vascular Disease: Diagnosis & Treatment. Read more about LE&RN CME seminars at lymphaticnetwork.org/treating-lymphedema/cme-seminars.
LE&RN Lobbies for Increased Funding from Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs
More than 60,000 U.S. military personnel have been exposed to “burn pits” (toxic open-air garbage incinerators) in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands of those veterans are now reporting disease, such as cancer, possibly related to exposure. LE&RN is now fighting to get the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs to drastically increase research and services impacting military personnel. If you, or someone you know, is in the military and has been diagnosed with LE that is potentially related to service in the vicinity of the burn pits, call LE&RN at (516) 625-9675 or e-mail at LERN@LymphaticNetwork.org.
William Repicci
President and CEO
Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN)