[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 7, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       LYMPHEDEMA AWARENESS WEEK

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                           HON. DAVID P. ROE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2014

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, today I hope to raise awareness of 
lymphedema, a debilitating disease for which no cure has yet been 
developed.
  Lymphedema is a blockage of lymph vessels that causes an accumulation 
of fluid, protein, and other cellular waste. This results in a swelling 
of the body in places where the blockage occurs. Though lymphedema can 
be passed down genetically, it most frequently occurs after surgical 
procedures to remove damaged lymph nodes or vessels. Often it is a 
tragic side-effect to cancer treatments, the highest risk occurring in 
breast and prostate cancer patients.
  Doctors can screen for lymphedema using a number of diagnostic tools, 
and early detection is important to minimize the effects of this 
disease. Lymphedema, sadly, is not curable, but it is treatable through 
compression, specially designed exercises, or, in some cases, surgery.
  One of my constituents, Jennifer Onks Hovatter of Johnson City, lost 
her husband Thomas to complications arising from lymphedema in 2007. 
Every year around June 18th--the day that Thomas passed away--Jennifer 
holds the Thomas Hovatter Lymphedema Awareness Day in memory of her 
husband. This year, Lymphedema Awareness Day is June 21.
  Jennifer's efforts to raise public recognition of this disease--which 
have been reported on by the Associated Press--led the Tennessee 
legislature to declare that the third week of June each year to be 
``Lymphedema Awareness Week.''
  I applaud Jennifer for her tireless work to bring awareness to 
lymphedema, and encourage all Americans to learn more about this 
condition.

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