LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Saskia R. J. Thiadens, RN for her
outstanding advocacy and promotion of Lymphedema awareness

WHEREAS, In honor of National Lymphedema Network's D-Day on March 6,
2015, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Saskia R. J. Thia-
dens, RN, a dedicated clinician, educator and advocate for Lymphedema
awareness and education; and
WHEREAS, This particular day brings awareness to this, oftentimes,
debilitating condition and helps find strength through collective cele-
bration; it is also set aside to honor inspirational lymphedema patients
and exceptional healthcare providers; and
WHEREAS, Saskia R. J. Thiadens, RN began her advocacy in lymphedema in
1988 as the founder of the National Lymphedema Network (NLN); since that
time, she has been the President of the NLN; and
WHEREAS, Saskia R. J. Thiadens, RN received her nursing degree from
the University of Utrecht in Holland; in 1967, she immigrated to the
United States, living in New York City and working in nursing at Cornell
University in New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, she opened the first lymphedema clinic in the United
States (the Aurora Lymphedema Clinic in San Francisco) and in 1988, she
founded the National Lymphedema Network (NLN), an internationally recog-
nized non-profit organization, now 2000 members strong with 350 affil-
iated clinics, many in New York; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of President Thiadens since its
inception, NLN is dedicated to providing education and awareness to
lymphedema patients, health care professionals, and the general public;
in addition, this vital organization promotes research into the causes,
prevention and treatment of lymphedema; and
WHEREAS, The NLN has an 800 hotline, and provides support and educa-
tion to patients and the general public and refers patients each day to
affiliated clinics; and
WHEREAS, An active nurse and patient advocate, Saskia R. J. Thiadens,
RN has organized 11 successful international professional conferences on
lymphedema and lymphatic disorders; she has been an oncology nurse for
over 25 years, a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, and the founder
of The Lymphedema Management Special Interest Group; and
WHEREAS, She is a frequent speaker at national and international
conferences and key collaborator in various lymphedema studies; and
WHEREAS, Saskia R. J. Thiadens, RN is the managing editor of
Lymphlink, the official quarterly 40 page NLN Journal; she is also a
member of the NLN Medical Advisory and Research Committees; and
WHEREAS, Saskia R. J. Thiadens, RN founded Lymphedema D-Day in 1994,
and since that time, hundreds of special patients and clinicians have
been recognized as a D-Day recipient; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Saskia R. J. Thiadens, RN created the Marilyn West-
brook Garment Fund (MWGF) a service which provides free compression
garments for underserved lymphedema patients; as of today, 800 patients
have received garments and ultimately changed their quality of life; and
WHEREAS, The NLN supports Position Papers regarding risk reduction,
screening and early detection, exercise, diagnosis and treatment; these
vital papers are used among all disciplines, including cancer and rehab
centers; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Saskia R. J. Thiadens, RN for her outstanding advocacy and
promotion of Lymphedema awareness; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Saskia R. J. Thiadens, RN.