Amazing, wonderful, exciting, encouraging, super-great news, everybody: last night, at 6PM EST, the US Senate became the first national governing body to establish March 6th as World Lymphedema Day!
From an update by the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN):
The US Senate has become the first national governing body to establish March 6 as World Lymphedema Day. The bill was written and presented by LE&RN, with Sen. Schumer (NY) and Sen. Grassley (IA) co-sponsoring. Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY) presented the bill in session, at which Sen. Dan Sullivan (AK) presided and where it passed unanimously.
This is a huge victory for the lymphedema community! It elevates us to the national stage, increasing our visibility and our need for more research, better insurance coverage, and accessible treatment for all those living with lymphedema. There is still a lot of work to be done, however, and we have to keep spreading awareness and sharing our experiences with lymphedema until we achieve those changes.
This is an incredible start—let’s keep the momentum going!
Support World Lymphedema Day
There are a number of ways you can help support World Lymphedema Day and show your solidarity! In addition to signing and sharing the petition, you can add a banner to your social media profile photos, or post your support on Twitter. These seemingly small gestures can inspire meaningful conversation about lymphedema and the need for awareness!
You can also support lymphatic research by donating to one of the research organizations, such as the Lymphatic Education & Research Network or the National Lymphedema Network, or by getting involved in the upcoming Lymphedema Lobby Days in D.C. this April.
Check out last year’s post for even more ideas on how to promote lymphedema awareness!
Keep checking back for more helpful information about lymphedema and lymphedema awareness throughout the week as we get closer to establishing the first-annual World Lymphedema Day on March 6th!
Header image By USCapitol (U.S. Capitol Building) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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