Get Involved for Lymphedema Awareness Month + Giveaway

As many of you know, March is Lymphedema Awareness Month. Each year, BrightLife Direct supports the lymphedema community through advocacy, education, and giving back. This year, we are giving away a $100 BrightLife Direct gift card to one lucky winner! You can find the rules and enter below.

What Is Lymphedema?

First, for those who are unfamiliar with lymphedema, here is some background information: Lymphedema is a chronic lymphatic disease that is characterized by swelling (edema), that is caused by a collection of too much lymph fluid. It is most commonly in the arms or legs but it can happen in other parts of the body as well. This swelling may cause pain and limit how well the affected area moves. This condition affects up to 10 million Americans and over 100 million people worldwide, yet is still unknown to many doctors and patients. Some people are born with lymphedema, this is called primary lymphedema. Most common is secondary lymphedema which is caused by the removal of or damage to your lymph nodes following a surgical procedure, often after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Today, there is no cure for lymphedema. However, the lymphedema community has made great strides in awareness to bring this condition to light to find a cure. Award-winning actress, Kathy Bates, developed lymphedema after undergoing a mastectomy. She is now the face of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN), sharing her story with the world to help others.

World Lymphedema Day

World Lymphedema Day (WLD) is celebrated annually on March 6th. This patient-driven awareness day is filled with incredible support from doctors, patients, lymphedema therapists and many more. The goal is to educate our communities and make cures for lymphedema and lymphatic diseases a global priority. The first ever WLD occurred on March 6, 2016. Since then, the lymphedema community has made great strides in education and awareness.

How Do You Manage Lymphedema?

There is no cure, and without proper management, lymphedema can become a debilitating disease. Lymphedema treatment focuses on reducing the swelling and controlling the pain. Treatments to minimize swelling include: manual lymph drainage (MLD), exercises, staying hydrated, wrapping your arm or leg and the regular use of wearing compression garments. Many people with lymphedema struggle with the idea of having to wear compression stockings or arm sleeves for life, but compression companies are listening and are making options that are as comfortable and stylish as possible. Garments come in numerous colors and patterns to let your personality shine through without anyone ever knowing your wearing compression!

Well-known compression brands like Jobst, Mediven, Sigvaris, and Juzo, all offer compression garments in a wide range of sizes and styles in both the upper and lower extremities. We have fashionistas covered too! There are tons of stylish arm sleeves and stockings out there waiting for you. If you want a fun patterned arm sleeve with a matching glove or gauntlet, LympheDivas is for you. Choose from their ever-expanding range of patterns and colors to add some pizzazz to your wardrobe. Juzo is also hip to fun colors and patterns as well. The Juzo Dream Collection offers new colors for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter in knee highs, thigh highs, pantyhose, leggings and armsleeves. The Dream Collection is available in 15-20, 20-30, 30-40, and 40-50 mmHg in sheer, tie-dye, and opaque styles.

If you struggle to put on traditional compression garments, we have you covered as well. Compression wraps are a great alternative and are easy to put on. More and more people with lymphedema are turning to wraps for their ability to adjust compression levels and are able to accommodate swelling fluctuations. Therapists love them for their ability to fit like a custom garment at a ready-to-wear price. Sigvaris (formally BiaCare), CircAid, the Solaris Collection by L&R, and Juzo, all offer fantastic wraps for the legs and arms. 

BrightLife Direct understands the difficulty in finding the right garment. Between finding the right fabric or size, it can be an overwhelming process. Give us a call at 1-877-545-8585 and talk to our team of certified fitters to find the perfect garment for you. We are always happy to help you.

How Can You Get Involved In Lymphedema Awareness Month?

• Local Events: Get involved in upcoming events. LE&RN has a ton of opportunities to get involved in your local community and online. Check out their website to find a chapter near you.
• Online Advocacy: The lymphedema community is growing every day. Join a Facebook group or search on Twitter and Instagram to connect with fellow lymphies! People from all over the world are sharing their journeys through blogs and social media to support one another.
• March 6th is World Lymphedema Day. Share posts online and include #WLD2022 to show your support. Many cities all over the world will be lighting up landmarks in blue in honor of World Lymphedema Day.

Enter to Win Our Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive a $100 gift card to BrightLife Direct. Here is how to enter.

• First, leave a comment on this blog (below) about what Lymphedema Awareness Month means to you. 
• Then confirm you left a comment.

The deadline to enter is Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 11:59am EDT. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 4. Good luck!