A community of people with lived experience

eNewsletter October 2023

Member eNewsletter – October 2023

 

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members and Friends,
    
Welcome to the latest edition of our e-Newsletter.

There is a lot happening this month as we strive to bring you educational events, support group meetings, fundraising opportunities, our AGM... and all whilst undergoing a change in Association Management.  Why do things by halves when you can do it all!

Warm regards, 


Mary D'Elia
PRESIDENT

LYMPHOEDEMA PUBLIC INFORMATION DAY - BRISBANE 2023

REGISTER NOW!

Preparation for the next Lymphoedema Information Day is well underway. Whilst it is being held in Brisbane, it will be livestreamed, and thus there is no excuse to miss out!  Our information day will be held at Kedron Wavell Services Club (in north Brisbane) and via a zoom webinar.

Learn insightful information from our guest speakers, Prof Sandi Hayes, Dr Amanda Pigott, Dr Jen Sanderson, Bianca Elliott, and Desi Carlos.

With over 10 trade displays, come along and find out about the latest garments, pumps, laser, bio-impedance and more!

INTRODUCING LAA'S NEW SECRETARIAT

This month, we welcome our new Secretariat. We are delighted to introduce to you the staff at Association Solutions. Danielle and her team have come on board last week. They are learning the ropes, but already making waves with the new look to this e-Newsletter.


Our mailing address has changed and can be found on our website if needed.  However, our email address admin@lymphaustralia.org.auwebsite www.lymphaustralia.org.au and phone number 1300 852 850 have not changed at all. Danielle and her team will still be able to connect with our members and stakeholders. 


We ask that you be patient as we navigate this transition. The LAA looks forward to more exciting things to come and are delighted to work with Association Solutions to take us there!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Members of the Lymphoedema Association Australia Inc. are invited to attend the 2023 Annual General Meeting.  The AGM will be held virtually via a zoom webinar.  Please click HERE for the link.

As always, the LAA invites nominations to the board, or volunteers for subcommittees. Please reach out and initiate a conversation if you are interested in a role. We would be happy to schedule a time to discuss in more detail and answer any questions that you might have about board opportunities, or volunteering in general.

The Board is a passionate group of volunteers…just like you! They come from a variety of backgrounds, from all over Australia. We are particularly keen to find representatives from Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Do you know someone that might like to be involved?

To view our Annual Report, click HERE.  We look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

AGM GUEST SPEAKER

We are delighted to have Hannah Kurnadi as our guest speaker, following on from the conclusion of formalities at the AGM on Thursday 26 October at 7.00pm AEDT.

Hannah is a registered Occupational Therapist, Lymphoedema Practitioner and Pilates Instructor. She specialises in breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management in general. Hannah runs The Lymphoedema Lounge in Brisbane, Qld. She will be speaking exclusively to LAA members on ‘Lymphoedema and Pilates’.

DRAKES COMMUNITY DOLLARS PROGRAM

Do you or your family and friends shop at Drakes Supermarkets? We have joined their Community Dollars Program. Drakes has long been a supporter of the Lymphoedema Association South Australia and were all too happy to make it national. With over 48 stores in South Australia and 14 in Queensland, there might just be a store near you! Nominate the LAA as your chosen charity and start shopping!


​​Step 1: Download the myDrakes app on your phone
Step 2: Search and select the Lymphoedema Association Australia when prompted to nominate a community group
Step 3: Every time you shop at any Drakes Supermarket, scan your myDrakes app (or your key tag)


For every $2 you spend at a Drakes Supermarket, 1c will go towards rewarding your community group of choice, the LAA! Every 6 months, the money will go towards a gift card to assist with local LAA needs.
 
All you Drakes customers…..let’s go shopping!

 

NEWSLETTER - SPRING NODE NEWS

The LAA’s Spring edition of Node News was released at the end of September. Our newsletter is exclusive for our members only. Haven’t seen it yet? Perhaps you are not a member. Click here to sign up and get access.

This edition features Part 2 of Jennifer Gilbert’s article on the conservative treatment for lymphoedema, as well as the AIHW Report, an article on South Australian Support Group history and more!

Below is an excerpt from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Report from the newsletter.

On the 20th of June this year, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released a 45-page report titled Towards an estimate of the prevalence of lymphoedema in Australia. The purpose of this scoping study was to assess the utility of available data sources in determining an estimate of the number of Australian’s living with lymphoedema. The goal is that it will provide a basis for future analytical reports describing the prevalence of lymphoedema.

The report acknowledged that there are no clear population-level prevalence estimates for the number of people in Australia living with lymphoedema. There have certainly been educated guesses over the years, trying to extrapolate from overseas data or from anecdotal feedback. However, nothing with sufficient evidence that has been able to reliably be used to report on lymphoedema prevalence.

The report identified that one of the most critical issues to gathering data is the misdiagnosis, or missing diagnosis of lymphoedema. The AIHW acknowledged that due to a lack of understanding and awareness of its presentation among medical practitioners, this is likely to have significant impacts on early detection and management of lymphoedema and impact upon any potential prevalence estimates.

To read the rest of this article and explore the latest edition of Node News please click on the links below.

Node News
Become a member

CHARITY GREETING CARD OPPORTUNITY

Does your business send annual Christmas or greeting cards? Are you tired of sending the same old greeting cards? Do you want to make a difference while spreading joy and kindness? The LAA would love your support in choosing to partner with the Charity Greeting Cards who will donate a percentage of the cost to the Lymphoedema Association Australia.


Please get in touch with us to learn more. admin@lymphaustralia.org.au or 1300 852 850. 

SUPPORT GROUPS

Here are a few upcoming support group meetings. These can be found on our website under events. 

The LAA is currently working on some guidelines and resources to help emerging support groups. We are keen to see new groups form, especially in states where there aren't any yet!

Stay tuned for more information.

Friday 27 October 2023, Caboolture Support Group, QLD
Monday 30 October 2023, Hunter/Maitland Support Group, NSW
Wednesday 8 November 2023, South Australia Coffee Catch Up, SA
Tuesday 14 November 2023, Northern Sydney Support Group, NSW
Thursday 16 November 2023, Sutherland Shire & St George Support Group, NSW
Friday 24 November 2023, Caboolture Support Group, QLD
Monday 27th November 2023, Hunter / Maitland Support Group, NSW
Tuesday 5th December 2023, South Australia Coffee Catch Up, SA
Tuesday 5th December 2023, Warrnambool Support Group, VIC
Thursday 7th December 2023, Northern Sydney Support Group, NSW
Wednesday 13th December 2023, Tamworth Support Group, NSW
 
To find out more about the Support Group Meetings, please Click here

DONATIONS

TO DONATE, PLEASE CLICK HERE

 

FOUNDATION PARTNER

Thank you to Haddenham Healthcare, our Foundational Partner, for their generous support in helping us further our mission and serve the lymphoedema community.

 

 

Disclaimer: This e-newsletter is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional for personalised advice and treatment options related to lymphoedema or any other medical condition. The LAA is a non-profit organisation that relies on the support of donations, sponsorships and grants. We may occasionally feature sponsored content or include promotional messages in our communications, but we remain committed to providing impartial and reliable information to our members and stakeholders.

Copyright 2023 Lymphoedema Association Australia. All rights reserved.

To visit the Lymphoedema Association Australia website, Please follow the link hereo visit