News – Lymphedema Diary

Behold! Cyber Week Stocking Sale!

November 27, 2017September 17, 2021 Britta

RedStockings — It’s the holidays, banish the dreaded beige! Cyber Week is the perfect time to try a new shade on for size (like these festive Juzo Soft Dream pantyhose 30-40mmHg).

While prying the latest dump of holiday catalogs out of my mailbox, a bright red postcard escaped onto the cold pavement. As I knelt down to pick it up, I could hardly believe my eyes – “Storewide Sale!” on all compression stocking brands. The postcard was from my stocking provider, BrightLife Direct. It was a Christmas miracle!

I have been purchasing compression stockings for nearly 20 years. And never in that time have I been offered a holiday discount.

Behold, it is true. This week only – BrightLife Direct is offering 10-20% off discounts plus free shipping on all of their brands. There are no kickbacks coming my way – promise. Just sharing the joy of the season with fellow lymphies.

THIS is the week to: Continue reading “Behold! Cyber Week Stocking Sale!” →

Compression Stocking Tips, News

Treatment Funds the Cure: BrightLife Direct and Lymphedema Diary Team Up for LE&RN in Celebration of Lymphedema Awareness Month

March 2, 2015March 22, 2015 Britta

What if I told you that your purchase of compression garments could help the fight to end lymphatic disease and lymphedema? Well, THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF MARCH, it will.

When you buy your garments from BrightLife Direct during March 2015, one percent of the total purchase price (on all orders that include the coupon code DONATE) will be donated to the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&ARN).

Why during the month of March?
March is Lymphedema Awareness month. That means it’s our time to shine — all 100 million of us worldwide who suffer from lymphedema. It is our moment to collectively raise our voices and demand funding for research to find a cure, adequate insurance coverage for medical treatment (including for compression garments) and full engagement from the medical community to increase prevention and early detection rates. Continue reading “Treatment Funds the Cure: BrightLife Direct and Lymphedema Diary Team Up for LE&RN in Celebration of Lymphedema Awareness Month” →

News

Coming Soon…a special announcement on Monday

February 28, 2015February 28, 2015 Britta

As I write this post, the actual temperature outside is minus three degrees Farenheit. Those of us in the northeast United States and elsewhere are anxious to say goodbye to what has been one of the coldest Februaries on record. But there is another reason to be excited about turning a page on the calendar. March is Lymphedema Awareness Month!

Lymphedema Awareness Month is the time for individuals and organizations around the world to jump up and down, waving their hands to spread the word about our condition to elected officials, the medical community, friends and neighbors.

In celebration of our month, I will be making a special announcement on Monday. I am really looking forward to sharing it with you. Stay tuned, or sign up for email alerts to be the first to hear the news.

Until then, so long, February. Take your time coming back next year.

News

Happy Lymphedema Awareness Day

March 6, 2014March 22, 2015 Britta

There is nothing joyful about having lymphedema, but today there is reason to be glad. Why? Because today is National Lymphedema Awareness Day.

And now it’s official here in New York thanks to the dedicated team from the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN). LE&RN’s staff traveled to the state legislature in Albany this morning to be on hand as two resolutions were read: one to honor Connor Looby as LE&RN’s Youth Ambassador and another to recognize March 6 as Lymphedema Awareness Day in New York.

Since more people in the U.S. suffer from lymphedema than multiple sclerosis, AIDS, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease combined, it’s about time we got a day. Maybe we should have asked for a month! Continue reading “Happy Lymphedema Awareness Day” →

News

Bringing lymphedema ‘into the light’

February 26, 2014March 22, 2015 Britta

Next Friday night at a fundraising dinner the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN) is honoring me for raising awareness of lymphedema.

As LE&RN’s executive director, Bill Repicci, says, “Although an estimated ten million Americans suffer from lymphedema, this disease remains in the shadows. LE&RN honors Britta for her ongoing efforts to bring lymphedema into the light, champion research and give this cause a voice.

*blush blush*

The dinner is on March 7th at 7 p.m. at the Putnam County Golf Course (about an hour and a half north of New York City) and will feature dancing, music and raffle prizes. Tickets are $75 per person (youth tickets $45 -12 and under) and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling (516) 625-9675. All proceeds to benefit LE&RN. Continue reading “Bringing lymphedema ‘into the light’” →

News

Give to a Cause You Know

December 30, 2013January 8, 2014 Britta

Connor Looby is LE&RN's Youth Ambassador and suffers from a rare lymphatic disease (intestinal lymphangiectasia) and lymphedema. Connor is only 7 years old, but he has joined in raising awareness of his disease and helped to raise funds to find a cure. Will you join Connor and make a generous end of year donation? — Connor Looby is LE&RN’s Youth Ambassador and suffers from a rare lymphatic disease (intestinal lymphangiectasia) and lymphedema. Seven-year old Connor has helped to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for the millions who are afflicted with lymphatic diseases. Will you join Connor in his fight and make a generous donation today?

If you are thinking about giving a charitable donation before the end of the year, I recommend considering the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN). This organization recently changed its name from the Lymphatic Research Foundation and expanded its mission after 15 years of providing hope, inspiration and progress to the millions of people who suffer from lymphatic disorders like me.

Simply put, LE&RN has done more to put lymphedema on the medical radar and to directly sponsor lymphatic research than any other organization of which I am aware. Continue reading “Give to a Cause You Know” →

News

Lymphatic Research Foundation: 15 years of hope, inspiration and progress

August 27, 2013January 8, 2014 Britta

On Sunday, September 8th at 11 a.m. the Lymphatic Research Foundation (LRF) will host their 2013 Walk for Lymphedema and Lymphatic Diseases. It will be at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, NY. Lymphedema Diary is one of the sponsors of this worthy event.

Melanie Chaite (right) and me at the 2012 LRF Walk.

LRF was founded the same year that I came down with lymphedema, so I feel a certain kinship with this organization. It was founded by Wendy Chaite, whose daughter was born with systemic lymphatic disease and lymphedema. Frustrated by the lack of available medical and scientific answers – to which readers of this blog can surely relate – Wendy quit her successful law practice and founded LRF to promote research of treatments and cures. Wendy’s daughter, Melanie, is going into her junior year at New York University and was the keynote speaker at last year’s walk. You can watch a video of her speech here. It is a must watch and only about 5 minutes.

Continue reading “Lymphatic Research Foundation: 15 years of hope, inspiration and progress” →

News

Two thumbs up for Wesley, Two Thumbs Down for Firecracker Films

August 20, 2013February 3, 2018 Britta

It was tough to watch Firecracker Films’ documentary, ‘The Man With the 132-Pound Scrotum’, which aired in the U.S. on TLC last night, but not because of the graphic content and nudity. Rather, my agony was the result of waiting for a moment that never came: an accurate explanation to viewers of what lymphedema is and how it afflicts millions of people worldwide. On the contrary, the producers depicted lymphedema as simply a “mass” that can be “removed” and be done with, as opposed to the incurable, progressive condition that it really is.

Continue reading “Two thumbs up for Wesley, Two Thumbs Down for Firecracker Films” →

News

‘The Man with the 132-Pound Scrotum’: No such thing as bad publicity?

August 15, 2013February 3, 2018 Britta

TLC to air 'The Man with the 132-Pound Scrotum" Monday, August 19 at 9 p.m. — TLC to air ‘The Man with the 132-Pound Scrotum” Monday, August 19 at 9 p.m.

This Monday, August 19 at 9 p.m. TLC will air an hour-long program called ‘The Man with the 132-Pound Scrotum.’ The show follows Wesley Warren, Jr., a 49-year old Las Vegas man, who suffers from scrotal lymphedema.

The TLC teaser fails to explain how Mr. Warren contracted lymphedema of the scrotum, but according to Dr. Reid (inventor of the ReidSleeve), the condition can be brought on by heart failure, liver failure, venous obstruction, lymphatic obstruction, or prior surgery or trauma.

As someone who has struggled to live in dignity with primary lymphedema for 15 years, it makes me cringe to think of all the people who might be sharing a laugh on Facebook at the expense of this poor man or gawking at his agony. And it makes me angry that lymphedema and lymphatic disease – a condition that affects millions of people worldwide – only gets attention when it garners circus-freak headlines.

Continue reading “‘The Man with the 132-Pound Scrotum’: No such thing as bad publicity?” →