Nine year old Emma Detlefsen from Berne, NY, Youth Ambassador for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network and her mother Tiffany joined Assemblyman Santabarbara today at the New York State Assembly as they passed a resolution recognizing World Lymphedema Day here in New York.

Emma was born with Primary Lymphedema and was 1 ½ years old before getting a proper diagnosis. Lymphedema is a chronic lymphatic disease that results in disfiguring swelling in one or more parts of the body. The Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) is an internationally recognized non-profit organization founded in 1998 to fight lymphatic diseases and lymphedema through education, research and advocacy.

Earlier this month, Emma travelled to Washington D.C. on World Lymphedema Day for the 3rd year in a row to advocate for The Lymphedema Treatment Act, which would provide coverage for medical treatment that helps keep Lymphedema patients healthy. Last year, at the age of 8, she opened 17 meetings with Senators and Members of Congress from New York.

At this time, more than 19,000 people live in New York State with lymphedema or lymphatic diseases.

Emma joined Assemblyman Santabarbara at his seat on the floor of the State Assembly and he presented her with a citation recognizing her accomplishments as an inspiration to her community and role model for lymphedema awareness.