Welcome To The Lighthouse
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.
Aquarium, this annual fund raiser and gala culminates in the presentation of grants to the selected non-profits serving the Breast Cancer Community throughout Georgia. LLN's Bandages and Garments Fund received the first installment of $10,000 which will be used to purchase the necessary bandages and garments for uninsured patients who have lymphedema as a result of breast cancer. The Bandages and Garments Fund also assists patients who suffer from lymphedema that is NOT related to breast cancer, but the ITJ grant monies are used specifically for breast cancer survivors. Any patient with lymphedema who is interested in applying for assistance should contact their Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) for more information. CLTs who are interested in more information about the Bandages and Garments Fund should contact Janie Smith at 
an exhibit booth and one of our board members, Francine Schwartz, was a model in the Fashion Show. FDRS is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people affected by adipose tissue disorders by supporting research, education, advocacy, and collaboration. While lymphedema and lipedema share certain clinical features (such as fluid, fat and fibrosis), they are two distinct lymphatic diseases. 
