LymphaCare Hawaii is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that is a resource for clinicians and their patients and is dedicated to raising awareness about how chronic swelling and lymphatic disorders impact peoples' lives.
We strive to bring hope to people that are struggling physically, emotionally and financially with lymphatic disorders and chronic swelling by offering free consultations and help in finding a local specialist.
We run a series of talks to raise awareness and update you on the latest research and best practices related to treating lymphedema and chronic swelling. Our focus is on empowering people to partner with clinical professionals to create their own self-managed care plans to take back control of this progressive disease.
We hope you enjoy our jam-packed website and wish to thank the Lymphedema Support Network (LSN), the British Lymphology Society (BLS) and the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LERN) for sharing their resources with the people of Hawaii.
Lymphedema is underdiagnosed and undertreated here on the Islands and it can be difficult to find help. Medicare does not cover ongoing treatments required to manage this life long disease. We volunteer 100% of our time to our work and rely on your donations to help build our community programs.
Our mission is to raise awareness of chronic swelling and lymphatic disease through
education, consultation, and community outreach. Our focus in on empowering people to
partner with clinical professionals to create their own self-managed care plans to take back
control of this progressive disease.
Our vision is to bring hope to people living with chronic swelling and lymphatic disorders so they can lead their best life.
· building trusting relationships with them
· helping them navigate their lymphedema care journey
· educating them about lymphedema care options
· following up with them throughout their care journey
· and, above all, empowering them to take control of their health.
Meet our Board of Directors
Louise (Ellie) Tanswell
Ellie, a UK-native who has lived in Hawaii since 2005 founded LymphaCare Hawaii in 2020 to educate clinicians about lymphedema and help patients manage their symptoms. An RN for over 30 years with advanced training in oncology and hospice/palliative care, Ellie has worked primarily with cancer and home-care patien
Louise (Ellie) Tanswell
Ellie, a UK-native who has lived in Hawaii since 2005 founded LymphaCare Hawaii in 2020 to educate clinicians about lymphedema and help patients manage their symptoms. An RN for over 30 years with advanced training in oncology and hospice/palliative care, Ellie has worked primarily with cancer and home-care patients. While treating patients with cancer, she encountered numerous individuals suffering from painful and debilitating symptoms of lymphedema as a side effect of their cancer treatment. This led to her interest in addressing what she saw as a serious gap in treating lymphedema effectively in her community and Hawaii as a whole. As a healer, Ellie was drawn to the "hands on" aspects of managing lymphedema symptoms, eventually becoming a licensed massage therapist and becoming a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (Lymphology Association of North America). She currently works as a lymphedema therapist. When she is not busy treating patients, giving presentations to raise awareness about lymphedema, or running a nonprofit, she can be found sailing in Kaneohe Bay with her husband Gordon and two pups Mahina and Kona Girl.
Rochelle (Rocky) Lee
Rocky is a Hawaii native who recently retired after over 35 years of service at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. Rocky has survived breast cancer and has experienced lymphedema firsthand following cancer treatment. She follows a treatment regimen to keep lymphedema in her right arm controlled. Rocky gives ba
Rochelle (Rocky) Lee
Rocky is a Hawaii native who recently retired after over 35 years of service at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. Rocky has survived breast cancer and has experienced lymphedema firsthand following cancer treatment. She follows a treatment regimen to keep lymphedema in her right arm controlled. Rocky gives back to her community by volunteering to help raise awareness of lymphatic diseases and joins our weekly movement class.
Cheri Teranishi-Hashimoto
Cheri has been a physical therapist for over 20 years and currently serves as Therapy Director and Program Director of Women's Health and Cancer Rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific in Honolulu. She helped establish the first cancer rehabilitation program in Hawaii (iCARE), on the island
Cheri Teranishi-Hashimoto
Cheri has been a physical therapist for over 20 years and currently serves as Therapy Director and Program Director of Women's Health and Cancer Rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific in Honolulu. She helped establish the first cancer rehabilitation program in Hawaii (iCARE), on the island of
Oahu, and in 2017 was recognized as a Hawaii Healthcare Hero by the Healthcare Association of
Hawaii. Cheri is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (Lymphology Association of North
America, Academy of Lymphatic Studies) and has been working with lymphedema patients for over 18 years. When she isn't working, Cheri loves spending time with her many fur-babies & critters and being outdoors.
Michael Wolper
Michael is a lifelong resident of Kailua, Oahu. Michael has worked in management and many of the top landmark restaurants on Oahu. A 2017 survivor of late-stage throat cancer, he's had to learn to manage the many challenges that surface from aggressive cancer treatments, not the least of which is lymphedema. He follows a dai
Michael Wolper
Michael is a lifelong resident of Kailua, Oahu. Michael has worked in management and many of the top landmark restaurants on Oahu. A 2017 survivor of late-stage throat cancer, he's had to learn to manage the many challenges that surface from aggressive cancer treatments, not the least of which is lymphedema. He follows a daily regimen to keep the lymphedema in his neck controlled. Michael's survivor journey has motivated him to be a leader in support and guidance of others in the multiple care groups he has been involved with. You can find him in the water most mornings in the sunrise surf of Oahu's famous Sandy's Beach before he heads home to his loyal dog Koa.
Felicia Marquez-Wong
Felicia is honored to be a new board member of LymphaCare Hawaii.
She has survived breast cancer, a mastectomy, and chemotherapy treatment. She understands the importance of lymphedema care. A former caregiver,
retired social worker and thanatologist, Felicia now volunteers to a few programs. She lives in Honolulu
Felicia Marquez-Wong
Felicia is honored to be a new board member of LymphaCare Hawaii.
She has survived breast cancer, a mastectomy, and chemotherapy treatment. She understands the importance of lymphedema care. A former caregiver,
retired social worker and thanatologist, Felicia now volunteers to a few programs. She lives in Honolulu, Hawaii, with her husband, two rescue dogs, and a hen. She has a budding butterfly garden where she feeds caterpillars and releases monarch butterflies.
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