The Greater Boston Lymphedema Network (formerly the Lymphedema Support Group of the Greater Boston Area) has held meetings since January 1995. It was founded and organized by Marianne Lynnworth, Dr.rer.nat., who has primary lymphedema and lipedema. In May 1998 a Board of Directors was established to facilitate the growing needs of the organization.
The original purpose of the group has been to supply some personal support and information to lymphedema patients. The complaint most frequently heard from new members is the lack of understanding and empathy by members of the medical profession. We have created a network of lymphedema friends who try to help each other by sharing information and maintenance advice. Members who have already lived with lymphedema for many years can calm down the fears of other members who are newly confronted with this affliction.
The GBLN is now comprised of patients, family members as well as health care professionals. Our group continues to provide support, information and advocacy in the hope of improving the quality of life for those with lymphedema.
You may try to reach the GBLN via postal mail at Greater Boston Lymphedema Network, to: GBLN, 39 Pond Street, Belmont MA 02478 USA.
For many years, meetings were held on a regular basis, either at people's homes or a year at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. The GBLN invited doctors or other professionals with training relevant to lymphedema. Meetings included patient sharing, exchange of lymphedema information and presentations by health care professionals with training relating to lymphedema. In the past, we have covered: Manual Lymph Drainage, Exercises, Myofascial Release, Complete Decongestive Therapy, Skin care, Fitting of Compression garments, Nutrition, Lymphedema review, Bandaging, Manual Self-Care and Coverage by Insurances and HMOs.
In the earlier years of the GBLN, a newsletter or notice was sent out one week before meetings to announce the agenda etc.
Volunteer needed! If you are willing and able to provide phone support, please contact Ann through the contact-link at the bottom of this page.
Here is a list of Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy ("CDP") / Manual Lymph Drainage ("MLD") Treatment Options for Lymphedema Patients in New England.
Rhode Island Support Group
Hope Center for Cancer Support
Providence, RI
401-739-4984
Southern New Hampshire Lymphedema Support Group
Southern New Hampshire Rehabilitation Center
Nashua NH
Tel: 603-577-8400
Maine Lymphedema Network
Contact: Maire France Browning PT
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital Rehab Dept.
Tel: 207-667-5311
Lymphedema: A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing
Jeanne Burt & Gwen WHite, P.T.
Lymphedema: Results from a Workshop - ACS
Jeanne Petrek, MD, Peter L. Pressman, MD, Robert A. Smith, PhD
A Child Apart
Juanita McDonald
See also: results of our Pump Survey of Members of the Greater Boston Lymphedema Support Group, conducted in the Spring of 1997 by Marianne Lynnworth.
Last modified: 4-Apr-2017. Please send requests for web page corrections to the webmaster using this contact form.
Donations: help support this web site! It costs $12.74 for one year's registration of gbln.org. We had our fourth donation in March 2016 and the web site is now registered through 2020. YOU can help to extend that by another year.