Senator Golden Gives Hope to New Yorkers Battling Lymphedema

Albany– State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today is announcing that legislation he sponsored, S. 1058 that would create a Lymphedema and Lymphatic Diseases Research Grants Program in New York, has been passed by the State Senate. The legislation is designed to promote a greater scientific understanding of lymphedema and lymphatic disease.

The Research Grants Program would award funds, in an amount not in excess of $50,000, to biomedical research institutions that are conducting direct research related to Lymphedema and Lymphatic Disease. Additional mechanisms are also outlined to additionally support research, as well as providing a program report to the Governor, Senate and Assembly.

“It is important the we provide funding for critical medical research and educational programs that could someday lead to a cure for this disease. Government should be an active partner with the medical community to ensure that citizens have the most effective treatments and the chance to live healthy lives,” said Senator Marty Golden.

Lymphedema is an accumulation of lympathic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling, most often in the arms or legs, and occasionally other body parts. Lymphedema can develop when lymphatic vessels are missing or impaired, or when lymph vessels are damaged, or lymph nodes removed.

Radiation therapy can damage otherwise healthy lymph nodes and vessels causing scar tissue. Untreated lymphedema can lead into a decrease or loss of functioning of the limbs, skin breakdown, and chronic infections. Additionally, without treatment, lymphedema can develop into a rare form of lymphatic cancer.

The bill was sent to the Assembly. Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) is the sponsor of A. 230.