The June Lipedema Patient Roundtable celebrated Lipedema Awareness Month with an evening focused on advocacy, visibility, and the power of community.
A highlight of the discussion was the presentation of the inaugural Pattie Cornute “All or Something” Award to Kasi Grosvenor. Reflecting on her diagnosis five years ago, Kasi shared how Pattie’s encouragement and unwavering belief in the lipedema community helped shape her own journey. She spoke about finding connection, purpose, and belonging through advocacy and emphasized that Pattie’s legacy continues to live on through the countless lives she touched. Kasi also discussed the importance of carrying that legacy forward through education, research, and outreach so future generations of women spend less time searching for answers and more time receiving the care and support they need.
Special guest Tanya Holloway, Mrs. Florida United States 2025, shared her personal experience living with lipedema. Tanya described symptoms that began in adolescence and intensified through major hormonal transitions, including pregnancy and perimenopause. After seeing a social media post featuring legs that looked remarkably similar to her own, she began researching the condition and eventually received a diagnosis. Tanya spoke candidly about the importance of visibility and representation, particularly for women of color who are often underrepresented in lipedema awareness efforts. Through her advocacy work and public platform, she is committed to sharing authentic images and honest experiences to help others recognize the signs of lipedema and seek care sooner.
American Lipedema Association President Susan O’Hara provided updates on several key advocacy initiatives. She discussed ongoing efforts to secure dedicated ICD-10 diagnostic codes for lipedema—an important step toward improving disease recognition, treatment access, and insurance coverage. Susan also highlighted a new medical education initiative that will evaluate how lipedema is taught across North American medical schools, helping identify gaps in physician education and opportunities to improve diagnostic accuracy. In addition, she shared details about new patient-facing resources the organization is developing, designed to help individuals educate healthcare providers about lipedema during clinical appointments.
Throughout the conversation, a recurring theme was the transformative power of community. The panel reflected on how support groups, patient organizations, conferences, and online communities can reduce isolation, provide hope, and create meaningful connections. For many people living with lipedema, these spaces become the first places where they feel truly seen, understood, and supported after years of dismissal or misdiagnosis. The discussion also highlighted the role the Lympha Press Roundtables have played in fostering that sense of connection and belonging for the past six years.
Together, the stories shared during the Roundtable demonstrated that every act of advocacy, every effort to raise awareness, and every conversation about lipedema helps move the field forward. Most importantly, the evening served as a reminder that Pattie Cornute’s spirit of doing “all or something” continues to inspire individuals across the lipedema community to create a better future for those living with the disease.
Special thanks to guests and anchor panelists:
- Jenny Beaujean (@Jenny_Beaujean)
- Siouxie Boshoff (@lipedema.living)
- Angelique Charles (@TheLippyButterfly)
- Cara Garrett (@palegingerpear)
- Kasi Grosvenor (@thrivingwithlipedema)
- Tanya Holloway (@mrstanyaholloway)
- Linda Anne Kahn (@lymphatictherapy.sd)
- Susan O’Hara (@legs_likemine)
- Brenda Viola (@brendaviola_vicicommunications)
With a longstanding commitment to supporting people living with lymphatic and adipose disorders, Lympha Press is proud to provide pneumatic compression therapy and opportunities for community connection through educational programs like the Roundtables.
This Roundtable was originally recorded live on June 17, 2026, and has been edited for time. The views and opinions expressed in this Patient Roundtable are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Lympha Press.
This video is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your condition or treatment.