Lymphedema Awareness and Support
Butterfly Pin

A Sign of Hope for All Lymphedema Patients

The International Symbol of Lymphedema Butterfly Pin The first all in one butterfly pin incorporates both ribbon and butterfly in finely polished silver steel with a beautiful turquoise enamel on the ribbon. Comes with leather pouch. 1 1/4" x 3/4", $10.00 each

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As the coordinator of Connecticut's First Lymphedema Awareness Day and Conference in May of 1999, where Governor John Rowland proclaimed May 1st as Lymphedema Day in the state, I introduced my idea of a pin to represent the lymphedema movement. Clearly, it was time to create a universal symbol of awareness for this long neglected condition and for the inspirational movement behind it. The Butterfly Pin and turquoise ribbon is a sign which now represents lymphedema movement. Every cause needs a symbol to represent them and that's what this Butterfly Pin is all about. The idea to use a pewter Butterfly Pin with a turquoise ribbon came to me after many years of research trying to find an answer to my problem with lymphedema. The pewter butterfly represents hope, and turquoise ribbon symbolizes the color of the ocean and is a sign of strength. There is always hope for lymphedema patients and there is strength in numbers! The butterfly also represents the journey we have all taken with lymphedema. As the butterfly emerges from the darkness of its cocoon to the warmth of the world, we have moved lymphedema into the light as we move toward better treatment, insurance coverage, and a cure!

Having been very well received -- and purchased -- by many lymphedema patients, families, friends, therapists, medical professionals and advocates, The National Lymphedema Network decided to adopt the Butterfly Pin as it's official symbol for lymphedema awareness in the United States and abroad.

Over the past couple of years, we have found a need to update the original Lymphedema Pin. The New Official Butterfly Pin, which is now formed into one piece of jewelry, has been designed and is ready for you to wear! The pin comes with a lovely little pouch for storage. (see image)

Jeanne Tassis, of the Circle of Hope Lymphedema Foundation, Inc. and Mitchelle Tanner, of the National Lymphedema Network, Inc. have jointly designed a new Butterfly Pin with the help of Cheryl Feeney from Healing Ribbons. This pin is now the official International Symbol for Lymphedema.

I hope you will wear the Butterfly Pin and turquoise ribbon proudly so it will be recognized universally as the symbol for lymphedema and help educate patients, physicians, legislators, and insurance companies to the needs of lymphedema patients -- in the same way the pink ribbon is recognized for breast cancer awareness and the red ribbon for AIDS awareness.

Research will enable us to benefit from a cure and fly free ourselves.

All proceeds from the COHLF's sale of these pins, and all our butterfly gifts, will go to the COHLF to help us meet the foundation's goals for Lymphedema patients.