LF is Collecting Saliva Samples in Boston!
If you are attending the Boston Lymphatic Symposium (BLS) and/or are in the Boston area, this is a unique opportunity to contribute to a resource that will support scientific research for years to come! We encourage you to invite biologically-related family members to participate alongside you at this Biobank event! Every sample collected is a powerful step forward in advancing Lipedema research.
Biobanks collect, store, and share biological samples and data to support scientific research, and they are a foundational tool to advance medical discoveries. These samples will contribute to ongoing efforts to discover the cause(s), progression, and potential treatments for Lipedema.
Recruiting participants who are:
Females with Lipedema
Males with a confirmed Lipedema diagnosis
Biologically-related family members attending with a Lipedema participant (parents, siblings, and/or children 18+ with or without Lipedema)
Notes: Participants do not have to be attending BLS to participate in Live Research. For this event, we are looking for participants who have never before submitted samples or data to the Lipedema Foundation Biobank.
Participants will contribute to research through:
Saliva Collection
Exam for Research Purposes
Survey
For this event, we are looking for participants who have never before submitted samples or data to the Lipedema Foundation Biobank.
Research Location
Joseph B. Martin Conference Center
77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115
Friday, February 20, 2026
Appointments available between 7:30am - 3:30pm
*Lipedema Foundation is not affiliated with Harvard University, nor is Biobank Event a Harvard University program or activity
Live Research Event
Participants will be asked to provide a saliva sample, complete a health and lifestyle survey, and undergo an exam for research purposes, which will include body measurements, palpation/feeling of the fat in several body areas, discussion of symptoms, and several other standard exam procedures. Please note that the exam is for research purposes only and cannot be used for medical diagnosis and/or clinical treatment. Results cannot be released to the participant at the conclusion of the exam.
Participants will need to disrobe prior to participating in the study. Changing areas and medical gowns will be available. Participants may wish to wear conservative, opaque undergarments. To expedite the process, please arrive without compression garments if possible.
Having undergone liposuction in the past does not exclude you from participating in these studies.
Please bring a list of all current medications and supplements, and a list of any previous weight loss, diabetes, or hormone medications.
Sign Up!
Females with Lipedema, males with a confirmed Lipedema diagnosis, and biologically-related family members (parents, siblings, and/or children 18+ with or without Lipedema) can sign up to participate.
Participants do not have to be attending BLS to participate in Live Research. For this event, we are looking for participants who have never before submitted samples or data to the Lipedema Foundation Biobank.
Please arrive for your assigned time 5 minutes early and without compression garments on (if possible).
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Sign up to participate in the event here.
We encourage everyone to sign up in advance to secure a time slot here.
If you’re unable to sign up ahead of time, you may stop by the event to check for last-minute availability or cancellations, but we cannot guarantee a spot. -
Absolutely. You can review the consent here.
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Participants will:
Provide a saliva sample
Complete a health and lifestyle survey
Undergo a research exam, including body measurements, palpation (gentle examination of fat tissue in certain areas), and several other standard exam procedures.
*The research exam is conducted by a clinician for study purposes only and cannot be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.
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We expect the full experience to take approximately 60-90 minutes.
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For this event, we are looking for participants who have never before submitted samples or data to the Lipedema Foundation Biobank.
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Consider wearing opaque undergarments, if it would make you more comfortable.
A changing area and medical gowns will be available.
If possible, arrive without compression garments to expedite the process.
-
Arrive 5 minutes early to check in.
Please bring (or have available) if possible:
A list of all medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements
For hormonal (e.g., contraception, fertility treatments, hormone replacement therapy, gender-affirming hormones) and weight-loss medications, start and end dates, if known
Information about menstrual history, including date of last period (if applicable) and typical cycle length
Details of all pregnancies, if applicable
A list of Lipedema-related symptoms and treatments used to manage them, including dates for any surgeries (e.g., Lipedema reduction, skin removal, weight-loss surgery, or vein procedures)
A list of any other comorbid medical conditions
Having this information readily available will help you complete the participant survey more quickly and reduce your onsite time. -
Please bring (or have available) if possible:
A list of all medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements
For hormonal (e.g., contraception, fertility treatments, hormone replacement therapy, gender-affirming hormones) and weight-loss medications, start and end dates, if known
Information about menstrual history, including date of last period (if applicable) and typical cycle length
Details of all pregnancies, if applicable
A list of Lipedema-related symptoms and treatments used to manage them, including dates for any surgeries (e.g., Lipedema reduction, skin removal, weight-loss surgery, or vein procedures)
A list of any other comorbid medical conditions
Having this information readily available will help you complete the participant survey more quickly and reduce your onsite time.
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Male participants should have had a prior diagnosis.
Females with Lipedema but no formal diagnosis are welcome.
Biologically-related family members (parents, siblings, and/or children 18+) with or without Lipedema who are accompanying a participant with Lipedema may participate. -
Yes! A history of liposuction does not exclude you from participating.
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No. The research exam is for study purposes only and cannot be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Results cannot be provided to participants.
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For any questions, feel free to reach out to biobank@lipedema.org.