Learn about the Lipedema Foundation
What does the Lipedema Foundation do? The Lipedema Foundation is a private, non-fundraising foundation established in 2015 by Felicitie Daftuar with a mission to fund research that defines, diagnoses and develops treatments for Lipedema. The Foundation is the world’s largest funder of Lipedema research, with more than $11 million awarded in the US and internationally to date. The Foundation’s research focuses on collaboration, connecting patients and researchers, and fostering basic and translational research across disciplines including physiology, genomics, immunology and endocrinology.
What is Lipedema? Lipedema is a chronic medical condition primarily impacting women and characterized by a symmetric buildup of adipose tissue (fat) in the legs and arms, often with pain and, at advanced stages, impaired mobility. It is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema, though Lipedema fat is resistant to exercise and diet. The exact prevalence is still unknown, but Lipedema is widespread, affecting millions of adolescent and adult women.
Resources
Watch our video
This video features descriptions about Lipedema symptoms, diagnosis challenges, and related disorders.
Looking for Lipedema
research papers?
Our on-line Legato Library makes it easy to search for Lipedema research by keyword, topics, and more. Find research papers here.
Download or order free brochures
The Lipedema Foundation Brochure features key questions that patients may have about Lipedema. To order, please fill out this form and include an address and quantity.
SIgn up for the Lipedema Foundation Registry
Your participation in our Registry helps support scientific research to improve the life of Lipedema patients. Sign up here.
Check out our photo library
We have a picture gallery with >500 photos of Lipedema at lipedema.smugmug.com
Want to participate in
research studies?
If you wish to learn about clinical research studies that are seeking Lipedema patients, check out our LegWork Clinical Trial Finder.