Joan White

This month’s Community Champion is Joan White. We received multiple nominations for Joan, who in the 1980s, developed lymphedema after a life-threatening surgery, and when she found limited resources for those living with lymphedema in the US, she founded the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network (LLN) in 1993. The LLN is a non-profit organization with the mission of promoting awareness of lymphedema and educating and providing support for lymphedema patients, family and caregivers, the medical community, insurance companies and other lymphedema support groups. Today, over 30 years later and at the age of 82, Joan remains an active member of Board of Directors of the LLN, having invested thousands of hours on behalf of others.

She is known to be a selfless, inspiring and energetic woman who has lived her life to support those with lymphedema and those in the medical community with an interest in lymphedema. As a result of her tireless and impactful volunteer work with the LLN, Joan has become well-known among lymphedema experts, researchers and advocates. Joan has served on the Board of Directors of the National Lymphedema Network (NLN), and has served as a member of the NLN Lymph Science Advocate Program. She was an advocate for the Lymphedema Treatment Act and a delegate at the 2023 LANA Lymphedema Summit. Joan envisions improving the lives of thousands, yet when she meets or serves even one person, she considers her time well spent. Her ability to see the big picture does not impair her ability to hear each individual. Joan has truly shown “light” on Lymphedema. Thank you Joan for all you have done for the lymphatic community!