ITALF – Italian Lymphoedema Framework welcomes an important new development: as of July 15, by decision of the Board of Directors, the ITALF Patients Group (GIP) is officially established — a section of the association specifically dedicated to people living with lymphedema and lipedema and their families, based on the belief that teamwork makes each individual stronger.
This initiative marks a historic step for our scientific society, which has always been grounded in open dialogue among specialists, patients, and caregivers, and is consistent with ITALF’s mission to promote quality of care, equity in health services, and social recognition of lymphatic and lipedema-related diseases.
GIP was created to enhance the active role of those living with lymphedema and lipedema, providing them with a space for listening, representation, and participation in the life of the association. The aim is twofold: on the one hand, to make the presence of patients within the scientific community visible and meaningful; on the other, to build a strong and authoritative voice capable of engaging with local and national institutions in the pursuit of full recognition of the right to care.
In a healthcare landscape that often suffers from gaps and discontinuity in patient pathways, it is essential that patients have tools and representatives able to advocate for their needs and proposals. The ITALF Patients Group therefore aims to actively contribute to the association’s activities: from the promotion of best practices to raising public awareness, from participating in institutional roundtables to collaborating on the drafting of documents and guidelines.
ITALF ETS, as a Third Sector Entity and multidisciplinary scientific organization, fully embraces this evolution, with the conviction that only through real synergy between professionals and citizens can we achieve true improvement in the management of lymphedema, lipedema, and related conditions.
All members who live with this condition — directly or indirectly — are invited to join the GIP, because every personal story is a collective resource, and every voice matters in building a fairer and more caring future.
For more information or to join the ITALF Patients Group, please write to: gip@italf.org
