New York State legislature to recognize World Lymphedema Day™ and honor advocates
Actor and LE&RN Honorary Board Member Steve Guttenberg will be honored in Albany, NY, on March 2, 2017
Nicole Faccio with her fundraising team, In Pizza We Crust, at the Brooklyn Bridge in September 2016
Nicole Faccio, center, with her 2016 fundraising team, In Pizza We Crust
LE&RN representatives to attend World Lymphedema Day event in Albany, NY, on March 2
I am advocating for the need to increase funding for research, tools that will increase education, access to affordable treatments and, eventually, a cure.”
NEW YORK, NY, USA, February 28, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- New York State has been a leader in the fight against lymphedema and lymphatic diseases, led by such champions in the New York State legislature as Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and Senator Martin J. Golden. In 2016, the State was the first legislative body in the nation and in the world to establish March 6 as World Lymphedema Day.— Nicole Faccio, LE&RN Member and Activist
This year, New York State will pass a resolution recognizing March 6 as World Lymphedema Day, and will honor two New York State lymphatic disease advocates. Actor Steve Guttenberg, whose mother suffers from lymphedema, became a LE&RN Honorary Board member at the 2016 Brooklyn Walk. Nicole Faccio, a LE&RN member who recruited over 50 supporters for her 2016 New York Walk team at the Brooklyn Bridge last September, was born with primary LE (lymphedema) in both legs and in her left arm, which then resulted with the collapse of her lung due to fluid accumulation on the pleura.
“I am lucky in many ways,” Nicole said. “I was diagnosed early and received excellent care. As a result, lymphedema hasn’t stopped me from living to the fullest, including attending college to become an Engineer, traveling, living abroad, and having a career in NYC. Many people aren’t that fortunate, and lymphedema and lymphatic diseases are too often undiagnosed and untreated. I found out about the New York Walk to Fight Lymphedema & Lymphatic Diseases just a week before the event. In Pizza We Crust (my fundraising team) raised over $4,000. That gave me the courage to tell my story.”
Nicole is honored to be recognized in Albany and will continue to share her experience to inspire others to do the same. She aims to increase awareness of lymphedema and lymphatic diseases, and hopes to serve as an example of the product of proper care.
“I ask our leaders to invest in quality of life for millions of citizens who deserve access to proper and affordable treatment,” Nicole said. “I am advocating for the need to increase funding for research, tools that will increase education, access to affordable treatments and, eventually, a cure.”
These resolutions will be read at the Statehouse in Albany on March 2. Representatives of LE&RN, including honoree Nicole Faccio, will be in attendance.
About LE&RN
Founded in 1998, the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (formerly LRF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for profit organization whose mission is to fight lymphatic disease and lymphedema through education, research and advocacy. LE&RN provides valuable educational resources for the millions of people who suffer from lymphedema and lymphatic disease. LE&RN fosters and supports research that can deepen the medical community's understanding of the lymphatic system. For more information about lymphatic disease or the Lymphatic Education & Research Network, visit www.LymphaticNetwork.org.
Laura Farrell
Lymphatic Education & Research Network
(516) 625-9675
email us here
Watch: New York State leads the way in lymphedema and lymphatic disease awareness and advocacy
