Academy Award winner Kathy Bates to kick off 1st annual CA Run/Walk to Fight Lymphedema & Lymphatic Diseases

Academy Award-winner and Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) Spokesperson Kathy Bates will kick off the first CA Run/Walk to Fight Lymphedema & Lymphatic Diseases in Santa Monica on June 28, 2015.

Kathy Bates developed lymphedema in both arms following a double mastectomy. “Lymphedema is a chronic souvenir from my surgery and initially I felt alone and frightened,” say Ms. Bates. “On my journey with lymphedema, I found that up to 10 million Americans suffer from this disease. This represents more sufferers than those Americans who have AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and ALS combined! Yet, I also learned that lymphedema often goes undiagnosed and untreated. This affliction affects children, a high percentage of cancer victims and anyone who has suffered traumatic injuries damaging the lymph glands, including our military. Yet incredibly it is virtually unknown by most Americans as well as many physicians. I can afford help. Millions can’t. This is why I joined the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) as a spokesperson spreading lymphedema awareness wherever I am able.”

“Lymphatic disease and lymphedema will only become a national priority once those affected come forward and join this fight,” says LE&RN Executive Director William Repicci. “Kathy Bates has become a lightening rod for the movement, and kicked-off LE&RN’s Face of Lymphedema Challenge and Membership campaign this past year to usher in this change. Now, she’s leading the charge to raise awareness and funding through our first Run/Walk in California.”

Ms. Bates recently talked about her lymphedema on The Doctors and in published news interviews. “I didn’t know where to go for help when first diagnosed. Then the more I learned what I would have to do to manage my lymphedema each day, every day, I became angry,” she states. “I’m in this fight for the long-haul.”

Ms. Bates will also host a dinner at a Santa Monica restaurant the night before the event for the top ten fundraisers. The actress recently took to Twitter to encourage everyone to register for the Run/Walk, which takes place on her birthday.

To register, simply visit the event’s fundraising page.