Greater Orlando, FL:
Tel: 407-862-8642
email: loud1@earthlink.net

The Daytime Lymphedema Support Group, Casselberry, FL
This group has been meeting for over three years. Each newcomer receives a folder containing basic information. Members receive an educational handout at each meeting and share something about their lymphedema situations; few of the meetings have formal speakers. Join the group from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month except December and January.
Main Branch Library
215 N. Oxford Road
Casselberry, FL 

Recent topics include:
· Susan Struckhoff-Allen, OTR/L, LANA CPT, presented “The Benefits of Lymphedema Follow-up.”
· Schneider Packs, chip bags and fibrosis.
· Low Level Laser Therapy.
· “What Every Breast Cancer Survivor Needs to Know about Lymphedema” by Dr. J. Michael Guenther
· Volunteers Who Help Lymphedema Patients.
· Complications of Lymphedema.
· Francie de Gamahl, RN and Vodder-trained LE therapist, certified yoga instructor, spoke about skin brushing and led the group in yoga exercise.
· Lymphedema in the 21st Century.
· Truncal Lymphedema.
· A lymphedema book review.
· What Is Lipodema?
· Tips for Travel and Aircraft Flight
· Lymphatic Filariasis.

For more information, contact Fran Davila-Aponte at 407 862-8642 or loud1@earthlink.net.


Puerto Rico: Guaynabo
Myr Ojeda, MLD/CDP
Foreign Language Translator,
Tel: 787-790-1720 or 787-272-1774
email: mtorres@elymphnotes.org

News and insurance Coverage in Puerto Rico
Information about lymphedema has been spreading in Puerto Rico since October 2003 via four lymphedema events, A Breast Cancer Awareness March, a Susan G. Koman Health Fair, lymphedema presentations at two private support groups and several Yo Puedo support groups in hospitals, information booths at two Relay for Life events and a Channel 4 television piece that aired several times. 
Insurance coverage in Puerto Rico: 

· The main VA hospital covers 100% of the cost of treatments, including garments and bandages. 
· Cruz Azul, Humana, MCS, Assoc. de Maestros, IMC and HOFFA are reimbursing for post-mastectomy treatment. 
· ACS renewed their LE program budget; twenty patients will receive financial aid for their treatment. 
· The Madrinas y Padrinos del Hospital Oncológico is assisting patients whose insurance will not cover the cost. 
· Medicare, SSS and the Reforma de Salud provide no coverage. 

The American Cancer Society Sponsors Treatment for 20 LE Patients 
The ACS will sponsor 20 patients this year to receive treatment for cancer-related Lymphedema. Five patients will be chosen from each of the four regions based on need and lack of insurance coverage. Candidates should contact their ACS Regional Director of Services to open a record and submit a medical order for MLD/CDT. Our thanks to Dr. Lillian Santos, Executive Director, Miguelangel Sisamone, Director of Cancer Control and Miosottis Pérez, service coordinator of the metro area chapter. 

Hospital Oncológico to Adopt Lymphedema Prevention Protocol 
A new protocol for the prevention of lymphedema was presented to the nursing and physical therapy staff at the Hospital Oncológico of Centro Médico in Río Piedras. Thanks to the efforts of Mercedes Villafañe, a member of the board of directors, soon all cancer patients will receive information about lymphedema prior to treatment and the staff will adopt preventative measures in an effort to reduce the incidence of this condition on the island. Among the measures to be taken by the staff: Lymphedema alert bracelets and signs, proper education to all staff members regarding invasive procedures on affected limbs, one on one orientation sessions with patients to teach prevention and care of the limb, measurement of the limbs as part of the medical records and training of a physical therapist to administer MLD/CDT to those affected. 

Lymphedema, Main Topic of Breast Conference Over 500 Patients in Attendance 
The prevention and management of lymphedema was the main topic presented at the Breast Conference, a yearly event sponsored by Magda Acosta, MD and the American Cancer Society in Cataño, Puerto Rico. The topic was presented by Myriam Ojeda and was followed by a lymphedema clinic where over one hundred patients consulted with the therapist. 

'Yo Puedo' Support Groups Incorporate Lymphedema Prevention in its Curriculum 
ACS sponsored support groups Yo Puedo for cancer survivors have incorporated lymphedema prevention to its curriculum this year. The groups, which meet weekly in several parts of the island are offering a one-hour conference on the topic in each cycle, brochures, alert bracelets and referrals to a lymphedema therapist in the area. Our thanks to Dr. Luis J. Ortiz Espinosa, president of the San Juan Chapter and Dr. Raul Morales Borges, president of the Caguas Chapter. 

Hospital Andrés Grillasca Presents LE as a Topic to its Cancer Survivor Support Group 
The social work department invited the PR chapter of LAF to present its prevention program to their cancer patients. The conference was well attended by patients and staff and a reference information binder was presented to the social workers, which have done a wonderful job advising the patients on prevention and treatment. 

Insurance Coverage for Lymphedema 
Three major insurance companies are now covering treatment for breast cancer-related lymphedema. Cruz Azul, Humana and International Medical Card have expressed great interest in providing coverage by a certified lymphedema therapist, thus benefiting hundreds of affected subscribers. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Triples, Medicare, Cigna and MCS, who insist on denying coverage or restricting the administration of services to physicians and physical therapists who are not trained in MLD/CDT. Affected subscribers are urged to contact the Comisionado de Seguros to investigate the reasons for denial.


Central FL: Tavares in Lake County:
Meets on the 3rd Tuesday, Jan-May, Aug-Nov
Pam Smith, OTR/L, MLDT
Vice President of Education
Tel: 352-253-3892
email: psmith@elymphnotes.org
CoChair Pat Thompson, 
Vice President of Promotions
Tel: 352-357-4998
email: pthompson@elymphnotes.org

The long awaited clinic move to Florida Hospital Waterman finally took place on June 28, 2005. We are settling in nicely and are truly enjoying our new and improved space. The new address and phone number are as follows:

Florida Hospital Waterman Rehabilitation Institute 3140 Waterman Way Tavares, FL 32778 352-253-3892 We have changed the day of the week for our support group meetings to the 3rd Tuesday of the months of Jan-May and Aug-Nov. We will still meet in the Cancer Center conference room from 4-5:30 pm.
I hope to see you all there!!! Pam Smith, OTR/L MLDT


Greater Cincinnati: Edgewood KY
Mary Defoe
Editor of eLymphNotes
Tel: 859 441-6484
email: mdefoe@elymphnotes.org

Location and Time
The Lymph Connection (TLC)
St. Elizabeth Medical Center South
One Medical Village Drive
Edgewood, KY 41017 (Greater Cincinnati)

Third Monday of each month Sept-May 

Topics of previous meetings:
• May 2001 Chikly Lymph Drainage Therapy by therapist Laura Lander
• July 2001 Life with LymphedemaTurning Don't Dos into Can Dos, practical suggestions on living with lymphedema.
• Sept 2001 Correct Compression Techniques by Liz Wood, RN, and certified fitter
• Oct 2001 Love Your Lymph: Nutritionally Speaking by Dr. Cathy Gratkowski, DC and Nutritionist
• January 2002 Emotional Aspects of a Chronic Illness by Barbara Henry, Psychotherapist
• February 2002 Compression Garments by Beth Stein, compression expert for burns, wounds and lymphedema
• April 2002 Dressing Made Easy by Suzanne Martin, co-owner of a clothing store for people with disabilities
• May 2002 Bandagings' Ins and Outs by Marina Branch, PT, Klose Norton-trained lymphedema massage therapist
• Sept 2002 Reflexology: Using Pressure Points to Stimulate the Lymphatic System, by Kathy Zanardelli, M Ed. and Wellness Counselor


New Online LAF Community Network Chat room

Tina Budde owner of Lymphland and LE Buddies Online Support Groups, and LymphLand website will be available Friday evenings Eastern time 7-8 or 9PM, and also available via email (hurt_chik@yahoo.com) to set up a time to meet you in chat to help you with questions and concerns.

Support Groups are located at:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lymphland/ Lymphland Online
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lebuddies/ Lymphedema Buddies
Lymphland is located at http://lymphland.hippy.com/
You may enter the online chat room through Lymphland http://lymphland.hippy.com/
in the menu click on chat and more, the chat link is on that page or you may enter through http://client0.sigmachat.com/sc.pl?id=103333