About Us

FDRS is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people affected by adipose tissue disorders by supporting research, education, advocacy, and collaboration.

The Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS) (formerly the Fat Disorders Research Society) was founded in 2009 by Sue Grimshaw, Susan Smith and Carole Reed to promote research, increase public awareness, and provide information and resources for individuals with fat disorders. 

During the first year, FDRS set up a website and held an informal gathering which is now referred to as the First Annual FDRS Midwest Conference. The second conference was held in 2010 where Dr. Karen Herbst, one of the only fat disorder specialists in the United States, addressed a larger gathering of Dercum’s disease and lipedema patients. The organization was very active with networking, fundraising, and blogging and had a very active web presence. By the 2011 conference, the organization had made great advances in networking and dissemination of information. 

The following year presented several setbacks due in part to quick growth, including website problems and an increase in volunteer workload. At the end of 2013, Felicitie Daftuar became President and the board reorganized.  Since then, FDRS continues to host successful conferences, fund research, and disseminate information through the website, social media, and YouTube.

Past Presidents:

Sue Grimshaw: March 2009 -  October 2010

Tina Tranfaglia:  October 2010 - July 2012

Damien Moore:  July 2012 - January 2013

Felicitie Daftuar:  October 2013 - October 2015

Cheyenne Brinson:  October 2015 - Present

Conference Locations:

2009 - First Annual FDRS Midwest Conference, Chicago, IL

2010 - Chicago, IL

2011 - Chicago, IL

2013 - Tucson, AZ (Lipedema Sisters meeting)

2014 - Washington, D.C.

2016 - St. Louis, MO

2017 - Salt Lake City, UT

2018 - Dallas, TX

2019 - Baltimore, MD

2020 - Canceled due to Covid-19

2021 - Not scheduled due to uncertainty of Covid-19 and CDC recommendation against large gatherings

2022 - scheduled for Cleveland, OH