Denise Braden, OTRL, CLT-LANA, a certified lymphedema therapist on staff at Mercy Memorial Rehabilitation Center, was among the 11 individuals chosen to receive the 2012 American Cancer Society Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award. This prestigious national prize is given in recognition of individuals who have made a difference through innovation, leadership and consistent excellence in providing compassionate, skilled care and counsel to persons living with cancer and to their families. Ms. Braden received her award at the beginning of May in Dallas, Texas.

“All of us at the Mercy Memorial Rehabilitation Center are so proud of Denise,” said Kristin Ferreira, OTRL, the center’s director. “She is dedicated to her patients, and puts her all in the care she provides to each of them. She has been known to purchase bandages for her patients when they couldn’t afford them, or drive them to their doctor appointments when they needed. She has a servant’s heart and is completely dedicated to taking care of others. We are lucky to have Denise as part of our team.”
 
Ms. Braden, who is one of less than 20 certified lymphedema therapists in Michigan, provides comprehensive treatment to Monroe area patients as well as to patients referred to her from as far away as Minnesota. Lymphedema is a condition that results from damage to the lymph system, the waste disposal system of the body. When lymph nodes are removed, it becomes difficult for the human body to filter waste. This can lead to a buildup of unhealthy fluid in the tissues, causing swelling and infection – all of which can cause a patient pain and discomfort – the feeling is a heaviness that is similar to sponges filled with water.

Ms. Braden established the lymphedema therapy program to the Mercy Memorial Rehabilitation Center when she joined the staff in 1997. Modern lymphedema treatment involves four steps: Proper skin care to avoid infections, manual lymphatic draining through light stretching and massaging of the skin, compression bandages or a garment that is used to reduce the size of the affected area, and simple exercises to help get the lymphatic fluid moving.  Ms. Braden also teaches her patients how to manage their treatment at home and how to take precautions, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding sunburns and avoiding cuts to prevent swelling and infection. Ms. Braden has been particularly proactive in her treatment of breast cancer patients, a group that is often at risk after a mastectomy or lymph node removal, offering them a free follow-up evaluation three weeks after surgery.

In addition to Ms. Braden, the American Cancer Society recognized 10 other health care professionals including oncologists and nurses, a hospice volunteer and a treatment navigator. Going above and beyond the call of duty to extend the ‘warm hand of service’ to cancer patients is part of the extraordinary character these individuals demonstrate.  The Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award advisory group includes longtime American Cancer Society volunteers. Lane W. Adams is a former executive vice president of the Society whose legacy revolves around the importance of compassionate care and the ‘warm hand of service.’