IF YOU CAN, YOU MUST
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LIHDA was created from a simple concept: why throw away what others really need.
While working for the NHS in London, Tamara Kosevic felt compelled to gather used compression garments tossed in the refuse bin. She brought them home for laundering, then shipped them off to ex-Yu countries. As a certified Lymphodema Specialist, she knew proper application of the garments was key to patient health. She held her first workshop in 2013 and has continued to provide onsite training throughout South Eastern Europe focused on how to properly apply garments, identify the signs of the disease, and best treat its onset. What makes Tamara the perfect pioneer for these projects is personal experience. Growing up in Croatia, she has lived through the hardships of war, political uncertainty and diverse beliefs, and understands the effects these can have on social services like healthcare, border clearance, and patient ostracisation. |
PUTTING AWARENESS IN TO ACTION
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Lymphoedema International Health & Development Awareness (LIHDA) was founded in 2013 (as Lymphoedema Awareness for South Eastern Europe), and to this day has focused on reaching groups of patients in need, especially those with low incomes or experiencing social alienation in countries around the world.
Through workshops and consultations with healthcare workers and organisations we have overcome great challenges and have been rewarded with tremendous results, like healthcare systems migrating funds saved on the hospitalisation of returning patients towards lymphoedema programs, not to mention a better quality of life for their patients and practitioners. LIHDA will continue to promote, support and spread recognition of the importance of lymphoedema awareness and its role as a unique area of expertise that is vital in maintaining and evolving better healthcare standards worldwide. 
“During the meeting, our medical staff had the opportunity to ask advice concerning the use of donated compression garments, as well as different complex situations that arise in their field work.” - BELHospice, the first inpatient hospice in Serbia 
“Thanks for the donated arm sleeves. Because of you, many women will not suffer the problems of lymphoedema as a secondary disease due to breast cancer and its treatment.” - Association for Health Care Development, Novi Sad, Serbia 
"Hi. Just wanted to let you know that the first lot of compression garments are going to Ghana next month. Just lower limbs one to a prosthetic center. I’ve just come back from there. Your greeting cards are with them! Thanks.” - Heather Angilley, PhysioNet UK “Many thanks for your help!” - Reynold Ofonoa, Ministry of Health, Tonga “It's already a lot what you are doing for the patients of my hospital.”
- Sami Alcedo Ascencios, MR Medicina Enfermedade Infecciosas y Tropicales, Hospital Nacionalk Dos de Mayo “A special thanks for the donation of lymphatic sleeves and bandages to BORKA, for our cancer patients.” - Lidija Pecova, CML Advocates Network, Macedonia 
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“...Association for Health Care Development received 150 compression arm sleeves for our patients who have a need for this kind of garments.”
- Association for Health Care Development, Novi Sad, Serbia
some of our partners
International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF)
British Lymphology Society, UK
Lymphoedema Services across UK
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (ADAPT), UK
PhysioNet, UK
Lymed, Finland
Therapies Unite, Mexico
Hospital Nacional Dos Del Mayo, Peru
PhysioNet, Ghana
LE& RN, India
Medical Centre "Thalassotherapia", Croatia
Institute "Dr Miroslav Zotovic", Republic of Srpska
BELhospice, Serbia
NALOR, Serbia
CML Advocate Network, Macedonia
Chamber of Physiotherapist of Montenegro
Association of Physiotherapist of Serbia
Croatian Council of Physiotherapists
Macedonian Society of Physiotherapists
Association of Physiotherapist in Bosnia and Herzegovina
British Lymphology Society, UK
Lymphoedema Services across UK
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (ADAPT), UK
PhysioNet, UK
Lymed, Finland
Therapies Unite, Mexico
Hospital Nacional Dos Del Mayo, Peru
PhysioNet, Ghana
LE& RN, India
Medical Centre "Thalassotherapia", Croatia
Institute "Dr Miroslav Zotovic", Republic of Srpska
BELhospice, Serbia
NALOR, Serbia
CML Advocate Network, Macedonia
Chamber of Physiotherapist of Montenegro
Association of Physiotherapist of Serbia
Croatian Council of Physiotherapists
Macedonian Society of Physiotherapists
Association of Physiotherapist in Bosnia and Herzegovina
