Lymphedema Awareness Day is March 6



(WireService.ca) - The 18th annual Lymphedema Awareness Day will be observed across Canada and the US on March 6, 2012. Lymphedema is a condition of chronic swelling that affects a limb or other body part due to an accumulation of lymph fluid.

Lymphedema Awareness Day is a day to bring public attention to this medical condition.

Lymphedema Depot, the importer and distributor of Solaris lymphedema care products in Canada, is helping to promote Lymphedema Awareness Day again this year.

“As a therapist and clinician, I have been in a position to hear from patients firsthand how frustrating it is to try to get treatment for lymphedema,” says Lymphedema Depot Clinical Specialist John Mulligan, a Registered Massage Therapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist.

Lymphedema is a condition of chronic swelling that affects a limb or other body part due to an accumulation of lymph fluid. You can be born with lymphedema or it can be acquired after a traumatic injury, severe infection or surgical removal of lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are often removed for the staging of cancer, to determine if cancer cells are spreading to the lymph system. In sub-tropical countries lymphedema can be acquired from parasites.

Lymphedema is not curable, but it can be managed through a blend of therapy techniques that do not involve surgery or drugs.

“There is a focus on the positive this year, “said Mulligan. “What has changed for lymphedema patients since last year? The Canadian Lymphedema Framework continues its work of making sure that ‘comprehensive effective treatment for lymphedema and related disorders will be accessible to all persons across Canada,’ which is expressed in their vision statement. The number of conferences and lymphedema awareness day observances has grown across Canada. There has also been an increase in lymphedema-related continuing education and public awareness events. “

What can you do to increase lymphedema awareness?

“The first priority is that you should learn as much as you can about lymphedema. If you do an internet search for the phrase Lymphedema Awareness Day in Canada, you will find a number of resources that will help you learn more and help you connect with people who are involved in increasing awareness of lymphedema in Canada. We like to say that ‘Lymphedema Awareness is Lymphedema Education,’ said Mulligan. “The reverse is also true: Lymphedema Education is Lymphedema Awareness.”

Visit the website at http://www.lymphedemadepot.com/lymphedema_awareness to find out what you can do to help promote awareness of lymphedema.

For more information contact

John Mulligan at John@LymphedemaDepot.com.


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