Essex County’s ‘Lipedema Queen’ Helps N.J. Teens Fight Fat-Based Disease

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Living with lipedema — an often-misunderstood disease that causes immense swelling of the legs and hips — isn’t easy.

At one point, East Orange resident Katia Page’s legs were 50 inches wide, and she was in so much discomfort that she “couldn’t really do anything,” she said. But just as bad as the physical pain was the social stigma that came when people assumed that her appearance was caused by an unhealthy diet, not medical issues.

• See related article: Her Legs Won’t Stop Growing: Bride-To-Be Battles Lipedema

In an effort to spread awareness about lipedema and reach out to others who may be suffering from the disease, Page is spearheading her 2nd annual fundraiser, the “Curves Meet Courage Conference and Fashion Show,” at Rutgers University in Newark on Sunday, July 23.

Funds will benefit Page’s nonprofit organization, The Lipedema Queen, and will help teen lipedema patients, including young girls from 13 to 19, to learn early about the disease and how to treat it.

The conference and fashion show will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on July 23 at the Paul Robenson Center, 350 Martin Luther King Blvd., Newark. Tickets are $25 (includes dinner and a fashion show), and can be purchased here.

For additional information email Katia Page at Katia@thepipedemaqueen.org, or call 973-202-2975.

• See related article: The ‘Lipedema Queen’ Speaks About Chronic, Fat-Based Illness

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YouTube screenshot: Katia Page