LE&RN organizes virtual National Action Week for lymphatic diseases, March 22-26, 2021
LE&RN Spokesperson Kathy Bates delivers testimony on Capitol Hill, April 2019
LE&RN Activists meet with Congressional staffers, March 2018
Demands: National Lymphatic Commission at NIH, “lymphatic diseases” eligible for study at DOD, LTA passage
Now is not the time to rest; now is the time to maintain pressure. If we come together, we will ensure Congress follows through on promises and we will make progress for those who struggle with LD.”
NEW YORK, NY, USA, February 11, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ -- In August of 2020, hundreds of activists, mobilized by LE&RN, took part in National Action Week. This resulted in Congress calling on the National Institutes of Health to establish a National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases. It also established a $1.5 million competitive grant program for Chronic Disease Education and Awareness at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with lymphatic diseases the only disease specifically mentioned.— William Repicci, President & CEO of LE&RN
LE&RN is once again calling on the community to come together as it did in 2020. All calls and meetings will once again be handled via video calls, telephone, and email. More lawmakers than ever before are now aware of the struggles faced on a daily basis by those with lymphatic diseases (LD), such as lymphedema (LE). And many have become champions for the LD community.
“We are proud of the progress our community has made, particularly during last year’s National Action Week,” said William Repicci, President & CEO of LE&RN. “However, to realize our ambitions, we must capitalize on our success by continuing to make our message heard. It is imperative that we once again come together to ensure that Congress makes good on its promises. I urge everyone dedicated to a future free of LDs such as lymphedema, lipedema, and lymphatic malformations to join this effort.”
Here's what LE&RN activists will be asking for as they gear up to speak with representatives during the week of March 22:
* Now that Congress has called for the establishment of a National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases, we need to advocate for NIH to take concrete action to make this Commission a reality.
* We want “lymphatic diseases” to be included as a category eligible for study in the Department of Defense (DOD) Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) in FY 2022. Lymphatic diseases disproportionately affect active duty service members and first responders, as these diseases often arise from trauma, bacterial infections, burn pit exposure, and cancer-treatment complications.
* We will again advocate for the Lymphedema Treatment Act to be passed by Congress.
Sign up for email alerts here and check Facebook and Twitter for updates. LE&RN will soon ask activists to register as planning for the March National Action Week gets underway.
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 diseases or the Lymphatic Education & Research Network, please visit www.LymphaticNetwork.org or call (516) 625-9675.
Laura Farrell
Lymphatic Education & Research Network
+1 516-625-9675
lfarrell@lymphaticnetwork.org
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