Resources
I understand that the care and management of a lymphedema / lipedema diagnosis is a DAILY, step-by-step process. With that in mind, here are some resources to help you on your journey.
Garments
To understand the benefits and variations of garments, go to: Compression Hosiery Buyers Guide – BrightLife Direct
To understand the difference between garments (thank you, Luna Medical!) go to: Our Compression Therapy Products
A big shoutout to Luna Medical for explaining so clearly the differences between garments. Because the cost of garments won’t be covered until 2024, do your research and choose the garment that YOU WILL ACTUALLY WEAR. If you are unsure, seek the advice of a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT).
To get measured and buy local, go to: Victorious Images
Nancy Lewis at Victorious Images has been providing custom and OTC garments for over a decade. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience.
certified lymphedema therapists in the 757
Currently, there is only 1 Lymphedema Therapist for every 1,000 patients living with Lymphedema. This number is SLOWLY rising, but demand far outweighs the availability of patient care.
Joy Thompson, BS, LMT, CLT
(757) 221-9519
Serves the Hampton/Newport News Area
Amy Marley-Kennedy, PT, CLT-LANA
Sentara Therapy Center, Williamsburg
301 Sentara Circle
Williamsburg, VA 23188
There is also a CLT at the Sentara Therapy Center – Treyburn
3901 Treyburn, Suite 100
Williamsburg, VA 23188
organizations that support the lymphedema community
Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) Lymphatic Education & Research Network
LE&RN’s mission is to fight lymphatic diseases through education, research, and advocacy. They seek to accelerate the prevention, treatments and cures for lymphedema, lipedema, lymphatic anomalies, and the continuum of lymphatic diseases.
National Lymphedema Network (NLN) National Lymphedema Network
The NLN is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1988 to provide education and guidance regarding lymphedema management to patients, healthcare professionals, and the general public by disseminating information on the prevention and management of lymphedema. The NLN established March 6 as Lymphedema Day, an annual event that highlights lymphedema care around the world. Additionally, they host an annual conference that showcases world-class clinicians and the latest in the care, treatment, and management of Lymphedema.
Lighthouse Lymphedema Network Lighthouse Lymphedema Network
The Lighthouse Lymphedema Network is a 501 (C) (3) organization of individuals who are lymphedema patients, or who have an interest in lymphedema. Their goal is to educate, promote awareness, and provide support for lymphedema patients, the medical community, family and caregivers, insurance companies, the general public, and lymphedema support groups.
Lymphie Strong Lymphie Strong
Launched in 2015 by a father and daughter from Texas initially hoping to spread awareness about multigenerational hereditary lymphedema with a blog and a small Facebook group, Lymphie Strong has grown into a global patient support and advocacy community with thousands of members who live with lymphedema and lymphatic disorders of all types.
Brylan’s Feat Foundation Brylan’s Feat Foundation
Brylan’s Feat Foundation is dedicated to helping provide treatment to children in need across the United States and the globe!
The Lymphie Life The Lymphie Life
The Lymphie Life is the blog of Alexa Ercolano, who has primary lymphedema in her right leg.
In 2011, she created her blog as a way to cope with her diagnosis. It’s evolved into a means to educate, connect, and support lymphedema patients and advocates across the globe. It’s also a means of spreading awareness of lymphedema to those who maybe aren’t so aware, with the hope that one day no one will go without treatment or care simply due to lack of awareness.
Jean LaMantia Jean LaMantia
Jean LaMantia is a Registered Dietician, author, speaker and cancer survivor who works to provide effective nutrition strategies designed to manage treatment side-effects, reduce risk of recurrence, delay metastatic spread, assist with recovery, prevent or manage lymphedema and live a healthy life. She’s written numerous books on the subject of nutrition, and provides an online nutrition school for people living with lymphedema.
Lipedema Simplified Lipedema Simplified
This site is dedicated to raising awareness and offering education Lipedema, an often misunderstood and misdiagnosed condition that affects up to 17 million people in the United States. It highlights the work of Catherine Seo, Ph.D., a Harvard-trained Psychologist, author, and speaker who has both Lymphedema and Lipedema. In her quest to better understand her condition, she founded Lipedema Simplified, The Lipedema Project (Lipedema Project) and the Lipedema University (Lipedema University).