Lymphatic Education & Research Network

08/20/2026

Community, connection, and a little movement 💙

This summer, the LE&RN Missouri Chapter came together for its Summer Social, bringing members of the lymphedema community together to connect, learn, and recharge.

Attendees heard about the latest research on coping with lymphedema, met new chapter board members, and even took part in a 10-minute chair yoga session.

A big thank you to our Missouri Chapter volunteers for creating spaces like this where education and support can flourish. We’re grateful for all you do to strengthen the LE&RN community!

08/14/2026

The U.S. needs more lymphedema therapists‼️

With only one therapist for every 1,000 people living with lymphedema, expanding access to specialized care starts with training more qualified professionals.

The 2026 LE&RN/Lymph Notes U.S. Lymphedema Therapist Scholarship provides up to $1,000 toward a full lymphedema certification course. At least 10 scholarships are expected to be awarded this year, with special consideration given to professionals serving underserved communities.

Ready to help close the gap? Applications are due August 31.

Learn more and apply now: https://lymphaticnetwork.org/2026-lern-lymph-notes-u.s.-lymphedema-therapist-scholarship

08/06/2026

What if the brain isn’t as isolated as we once believed? 💭

Scientists are uncovering lymphatic pathways connected to the brain that may play an important role in waste clearance, inflammation, and immune response. Now, researchers are investigating what these discoveries could mean for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions.

Join LE&RN on August 19 at 11:00 a.m. ET for Part 2 of our Brain Lymphatics Symposium Series: Is Alzheimer’s a Lymphatic Disease? Emerging Evidence from Preclinical and Clinical Studies, featuring Jeffrey Iliff, PhD.

Register today to explore the emerging science behind this rapidly evolving field: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9017841288910/WN_Y4SNXA9LRLimXWqly1AluQ #/registration

07/31/2026

Could Alzheimer’s disease be a lymphatic disease?

Join LE&RN on August 19 for Part 2 of our symposium series exploring the connection between brain lymphatics and Alzheimer’s disease.

Featuring Jeffrey Iliff, PhD, this session will examine emerging research on the brain’s waste-clearance systems, sleep, and how impaired clearance of amyloid-beta and tau may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

📅 August 19, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
💻 Complimentary virtual symposium

Register today to learn more: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1217841289002/WN_Y4SNXA9LRLimXWqly1AluQ #/registration

07/27/2026

LE&RN is growing around the world! 🇧🇷

We’re proud to welcome the new LE&RN Brazil Chapter, led by a multidisciplinary team of experts committed to advancing lymphatic disease education, research, diagnosis, and treatment.

Together, we’re expanding awareness, strengthening collaboration, and working toward better care for people living with lymphatic diseases in Brazil and beyond.

Meet the chapter leadership and learn more: lymphaticnetwork.org/international-chapters/brazil

07/24/2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 LE&RN/Lymph Notes U.S. Lymphedema Therapist Scholarship!

With only one lymphedema therapist for every 1,000 people living with lymphedema in the U.S., expanding access to trained providers is critical.

This year, LE&RN anticipates awarding at least 10 scholarships of up to $1,000 toward a qualifying lymphedema certification course, with special consideration for professionals serving underserved communities.

Applications are due August 31, 2026.
➡️ More info: https://lymphaticnetwork.org/2026-lern-lymph-notes-u.s.-lymphedema-therapist-scholarship
➡️ Application link: https://form.jotform.com/LERN/2026therapistscholarship

Please share with your networks!

07/22/2026

We’re proud to see LE&RN Ambassador Dr. Susan Fondy featured in Stars and Stripes with a powerful call to protect the health of service members, veterans, and millions of Americans living with lymphatic diseases.

A retired U.S. Army colonel, former chief surgeon of the Army National Guard, cancer survivor, and person living with lymphedema, Dr. Fondy knows firsthand what is at stake when research is delayed. In her op-ed, she urges the Senate to relist lymphatic diseases as an eligible condition under the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program for FY27.

This is not about creating a new program. It is about allowing lymphatic researchers to once again compete for critical funding that can advance prevention, treatments, and cures.

Read Dr. Fondy’s full op-ed:

Despite impacting more than 10 million Americans, lymphatic diseases receive only a fraction of the research attention devoted to other chronic conditions.

07/21/2026

Say it louder! 👏

Okay, I edited this myself because it needed to exist 😅

But real talk‼️ Most doctors (or medical practitioners) get maybe an hour on the lymphatic system in their entire training. ONE HOUR. For a system that runs through your entire body and affects swelling, immunity, healing, chronic pain…the list goes on.

I was trained at the Foeldi School in Germany, the European Center for Lymphology, and even there, you barely scratch the surface at the start.
It’s a deep, complex system.

So if your doctor brushed off your swelling as “just water weight” or told you nothing’s wrong when your body clearly feels different, it might not be that nothing’s wrong.
It might be that they were never taught to look.

What’s something about your lymphatic system you wish you’d known sooner? 🩵
Let me know in the comments 👇🏻

07/09/2026

Ciao, Rome! 🇮🇹 LE&RN is proud to welcome our new Rome Chapter, led by Prof. Guido Gabriele!

The Rome Chapter joins LE&RN’s global network in advancing education, research, advocacy, and support for people impacted by lymphedema and lymphatic diseases.

Prof. Gabriele brings deep expertise in lymphatic surgery, lymphedema, lipedema, and complex head and neck conditions, along with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for patients in Italy and beyond.

Welcome to the LE&RN community, Rome! Learn more: lymphaticnetwork.org/international-chapters/rome

07/01/2026

Last weekend, supporters, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends came together in Philadelphia for the 2026 National LymphWalk to Fight Lymphatic Diseases.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 5K and 1-mile walk/run, and to every volunteer, donor, sponsor, and partner who helped bring this event to life.

Your support helps fund LE&RN’s work across lymphatic disease research, patient education, advocacy, and community outreach. We’re grateful to be building this movement alongside you.

Wishing our community a safe and restful holiday weekend ahead!