Abstract
Lymphatic Education & Research Network Hosts Virtual Celebration in Honor of World Lymphedema Day
On March 6, the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) hosted an online gathering of supporters to celebrate strides made by the LE and LD community and to watch the premiere showing of the one-act play “Let's Talk Lymphedema.”
Lymphatic Forum, May 31–June 6: Registration Open Now
All are welcome to join us for the Virtual Lymphatic Forum 2021 that will run from May 31 to June 5. See the program and register at LymphaticForum.org. Check out the registration rates for researchers, trainers, therapists, patients, caregivers, and advocates. Discounts are available for members of LE&RN, NAVBO, and the Microcirculatory Society. The material presented is at a significantly high scientific level. Online registration is open through June 5.
National Action Week and Ongoing Advocacy
Advocacy efforts remain a priority. To maximize our grassroots efforts across the country during the current situation, a virtual National Week of Action was held from March 22 to 26, 2021, to kick off ongoing advocacy efforts. We are advocating for a National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases and meaningful funding for medical research; lymphatic funding to the Department of Defense; and funding for the CDC's Chronic Disease Education and Awareness Program.
LE&RN Spearheads Patient Advocacy at the American Medical Association
In mid-December 2020, LE&RN President and CEO William Repicci wrote to constituents, urging them to make their voices heard at the American Medical Association (AMA) by emailing their stories to AMA CEO and Executive Vice President, Dr. James Madara. The letters are being gathered on LE&RN's website and can be found at https://lymphaticnetwork.org/ama-stories.
Centers of Excellence
Interest and participation in LE&RN Centers of Excellence (COE) continue to grow. In December 2020, LE&RN received 20 letters of interest. These will be evaluated by the established global oversight committee, which will then invite selected institutions to complete full COE applications. There are now 25 COEs, which are working with the patient and therapist communities to establish affiliate boards to improve patient outcomes and promote greater collaboration.
Online Summit: State-of-the-Art Lymphatic Medicine
The Centers of Excellence 2020 Summit, State-of-the-Art Lymphatic Medicine, is now available for purchase at https://lymphaticnetwork.org/site/stateoftheart. General registration is $25 and CME registration is available for $75. The Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning designates this activity for a maximum of 8.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. The online summit features talks by leading authorities in lymphatic medicine and spotlights LE&RN Centers of Excellence. Organized by Dr. Stan Rockson, this recorded event begins with a welcome address by LE&RN spokesperson and Academy Award winner, Kathy Bates.
Symposium Series
LE&RN symposiums have had a steadily increasing audience as the world has moved on-line. Live on-line symposiums are held several times over the course of the year. Registration is announced on LE&RN's website. Please check for upcoming events. All past LE&RN symposiums can be found on LE&RN's website at https://lymphaticnetwork.org/video-resources.
LE&RN Creates Lymphatic Researcher Database for NIH
At NIH's request, LE&RN has created a lymphatic researcher database (https://lymphaticnetwork.org/treating-lymphedema/researchers) to keep NIH informed of the lymphatic research being pursued worldwide. LE&RN now needs all lymphatic researchers to submit information for this webpage by contacting LE&RN at LERN@LymphaticNetwork.org. Research names, institutions, Pub Med weblinks, and brief research descriptions will appear on this page, searchable by name, institution, or topic. All 27 NIH institutes and centers have been provided this weblink. This initiative grew out of the efforts of the Trans-NIH lymphatics coordinating committee.
World Lymphedema Day Run/Walk to Fight Lymphatic Diseases
On April 17, 2021, LE&RN will host the first ever global and virtual Run/Walk to Fight Lymphatic Diseases. Visit www.LymphWalk.org for details.
