Three years ago the Washington Post ran a story referring to lymphedema as “cancer’s dirty little secret.” The other non-cancer causes of lymphedema are hidden in even greater obscurity. It’s time for us to bring lymphedema out of the shadows!
One of the most fundamental challenges the lymphedema community faces is lack of awareness, even among medical professionals. Many of you have shared your Lymphedema Stories, which we feature on our blog, and far too many of them tell tales of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.
We are pleased to announce that it’s now even easier to request some of the information cards we produce to educate people about lymphedema and the Lymphedema Treatment Act. Click here to view the card and here to place your order, and we will happily send them to you free of charge.
It saddens me to think about how many people are out there suffering needlessly because they haven’t been diagnosed, or because their doctors did not know to refer them for proper treatment. I know that, under different circumstances, my young son Dylan, who has congenital primary lymphedema, could have been among them. Furthermore, few know of our effort to pass a law that will improve coverage for essential components of lymphedema treatment.
Each of us must be our own advocate and take charge of spreading awareness in our community! Please think about applicable places you visit, or could visit, which would be willing to distribute these cards: doctor’s offices, therapy offices, compression garment fitters, support groups, clinics, cancer facilities, etc. Estimate how many will be used at each site and consider your ability to refresh the supply from time to time, then simply place your order.
Thank you in advance for doing your part to make the public aware of this disease.
Heather Ferguson
Founder and Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
www.LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
info@LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
