This week, U.S. Paralympic and National Champion Skier Thomas Charles Walsh will be joining us to advocate for the Lymphedema Treatment Act.
On Wednesday he will meet with members of Congress and their staff to help get the LTA across the finish line this year! If you have contacts in the media, please consider sending them this press release.
You can also help by writing your own Letter to the Editor. Using the form on our website you can send to both local and national publications in one easy step.
After entering your zip code you’ll be shown a list of local and national papers. Simply check the box next to all the publications you would like to send to, then compose your letter.
Suggested talking points are below. If you have any questions please reply to this email. Click here to get started. Thank you for speaking out!
Suggested talking points for your letter are below. Do not feel obligated to use them all.
Note: even if your lymphedema is not cancer-related, mentioning the cancer connection,
particlarly as we head in to October (which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month)
may help increase the chances of your letter being published.
particlarly as we head in to October (which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month)
may help increase the chances of your letter being published.
* MAKE IT PERSONAL – explain why this issue is important to you. General information you may want to include follows.
* Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that occurs when the lymphatic system is either faulty or damaged.
* There are many causes, but the most common is cancer treatments that remove lymph nodes, making lymphedema a significant survivorship issue.
* Lymphedema affects an estimated 3-5 million Americans, with two-thirds of all cases being cancer-related.
* 15% of all cancer survivors develop lymphedema, sometimes immediately and sometimes not until years or even decades later.
* Breast cancer is the leading cause, with 40% of all survivors developing lymphedema.
* There is no cure for lymphedema, but it can be effectively treated.
* Compression therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for lymphedema, yet compression supplies are not covered by Medicare and many other insurance policies.
* Without proper and consistent treatment lymphedema is progressive.
* Prognosis for the patient is far worse and treatment is more costly when the disease is not identified and treated in the earlier stages.
* For additional information about lymphedema and efforts to improve insurance coverage for treatment please visit www.LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org.
