During the most recent session of the Legislature, Erie County Legislator John Mills presented Lisa McPartland of the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN) with a proclamation in advance of World Lymphedema Day taking place March 6, 2020.

The mission of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network is to fight lymphatic diseases and lymphedema through education, research, and advocacy. The network also aims to bring patients and medical professionals together to address the unmet needs surrounding lymphatic disorders.

Legislator Mills said, “It was a pleasure to recognize Lisa for her effort to create awareness surrounding Lymphedema, which affects her and millions of other people worldwide. Lisa has done an incredible job to help those struggling with Lymphedema and advocate for advanced treatments and cures. Thank you to her and all others at LE&RN for continuing to fight for this important cause.”

Lisa McPartland said, “I wanted to bring lymphedema to lawmakers’ attention because far too many people are suffering from unexplained swelling that often is misdiagnosed as obesity or some other condition. Even worse, many more sufferers are brushed off by their primary doctors with statements that these sufferers are just getting old or that they don’t really have a problem at all. This needs to change. I fight to inform those with unexplained swelling that they might have a diagnosable and treatable disease. I also fight to raise awareness in the hopes that someday there will be a cure.”

For more information on lymphedema and LE&RN efforts, click here. A copy of the proclamation can be viewed here.