Press Release:
Gala of Hope Teams with Living With Lymphedema
Beavercreek, OH, March 31, 2021—Gala of Hope Foundation announces its management of the Living with Lymphedema Fund, preserving, managing, and including the fund among its others serving cancer patients and survivors in the Dayton region. The Living With Lymphedema Fund was founded by Terri Baldasare in 2012, while beginning her own battle with lymphedema, to offer relief to others facing this consequence of cancer.
“Gala of Hope is really privileged to carry on the mission of Living With Lymphedema. Terri is a pioneer serving those with lymphedema, with LWL providing compression garments for those who cannot afford them otherwise,” shared Jeff Brock, Executive Director. “These garments are costly but make a world of difference in quality of life for cancer survivors living with this chronic condition. Terri and Living With Lymphedema have given hope to hundreds and will continue to give hope. She will serve with us, and those who have supported LWL in the past, or wish to join, can designate gifts that continue its mission for years to come.”
Lymphedema results from the breakdown of the body’s lymphatic system, mostly due to disruption. Cancer patients face this the most due to removal of lymph nodes and radiation; more than 1 in 5 women surviving breast cancer will develop this condition, as will 40% of all cancer patients who have lymph nodes removed. Compression garments are key to controlling the condition, and often are worn for the remainder of one’s life.
“I am so pleased to join with Gala of Hope so we can serve lymphedema patients, even beyond my lifetime,” said Terri Baldasare. “Compression garments are expensive and must be replaced often. With insurance not covering the cost, we cannot allow their expense to keep lymphedema sufferers from experiencing relief and quality of life.” Baldasare created a network of support through the region’s cancer centers, and these partnerships will continue under Gala of Hope’s management. “Joining with Gala of Hope really helps us expand the opportunities to serve more of those who face this condition and discomfort. March is Lymphedema Awareness Month—so appropriate to join Gala this month.”
“Gala of Hope focuses on diminishing the effects of cancer in our region. We’ve invested over $5 million since 2014 to accomplish this. Lymphedema is one of cancer’s effects and empowering Living With Lymphedema only makes Gala more effective,” concluded Brock. “We both want the best of care for cancer patients, quality of life for survivors and ultimately send cancer into the sunset.”
About Gala of Hope Foundation
Gala of Hope Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 2014 to serve the Dayton region as a financial resource for cancer patients, cancer treatment, and local cancer research. At its core, Gala of Hope Foundation was created and is sustained by gifts from generous people committed to changing the face of cancer in the Dayton region. The Foundation serves as a grant maker and a voice for Dayton region cancer patients and its cancer care community.
About Living with Lymphedema Fund
Living with Lymphedema Fund was created to provide compression garments for local cancer patients who cannot afford them. For more information, contact Terri Baldasare, Founder and Director, at 937-572-7781 or visit http://lwlymphedema.com/
For more information, contact Jeff Brock, Executive Director at 937-239-5482 or visit www.galaofhope.net