From Lymphoma Australia

Advocating for lymphoma awareness, equal access to treatments and support for patients and families is a high priority for our organisation. 

We are thrilled to announce that this hard work is paying off with the recent announcement by the Federal Health Minister that more treatments will now be affordable for ALL Australians.

It was a privilege to be alongside The Honourable Greg Hunt MP, Dr Michael Dickinson from the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC), and lymphoma patients and their families when it was announced that Keytruda will be available from the 1st of May on the PBS for Australians with relapsed/ refractory Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma. Eligible patients can now access Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)  - giving them the best chance to beat their lymphoma. 

Pralatrexate was also PBS listed from the 1st of April for relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Australian patients with this rare subtype of lymphoma now have another treatment option to help fight this cancer. 

It takes a team to make this happen and it has been an honour to work with patients and their families to ensure the patient voice is heard in this important decision making process. The Australian regulatory process can also be challenging to navigate and we would like to acknowledge the hard work that goes on behind the scenes by the government, the health department, PBAC and in this case MSD and Mundipharma to make it all happen. 

We will continue to work hard to ensure lymphoma receives the priority it deserves. If you would like to become involved in these processes, share your story, or discuss partnering with us please email me at enquiries@lymphoma.org.au 

Last week I also traveled to Perth for a special launch - the new Western Australia Lymphoma Centre of Research Excellence. The Centre aims to enable lymphoma patients’ access to clinical trials in their home state. Clinical trials can be the gateway to the next-generation treatments or can be a line of hope for patients who have failed conventional therapies.  The Lymphoma Centre of Excellence is an initiative of the Snowdome Foundation and Dr Chan Cheah. We are very proud to be a collaborative partner for this new Centre.

I hope to see you soon at an event or information session. Be sure to follow us on social media for up-to-date announcements and events.

I thank you for you continued support. TOGETHER we can make a change.

Sharon Winton, CEO

L-R: Raj Gauba- Haematology MSD; Federal Health Minister Hon Greg Hunt MP; Sharon Winton - CEO Lymphoma Australia, Dr Michael Dickinson- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Breaking News: PBS medicines update

We have great news for lymphoma patients with two drugs recently approved for inclusion on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

There has been great collaboration from many parties including patients and their families to make this happen - a big thank you to all involved.

From 1 May 2018, Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) will be available for Australian patients with relapsed/refractory Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

From May 1, eligible patients will now pay a maximum of $39.50 per script, with patients eligible for a concession paying just $6.40. 

Whilst approximately 85 per cent of Hodgkin lymphoma patients are cured with chemotherapy, ­patients who relapse or if they are refractory to chemotherapy can have a challenging time to beat this cancer. 

Prior to the PBS listing of Keytruda, clinical trials helped some patients gain access to this treatment but patients who missed out on a trial needed to fundraise or pay for access for this treatment at a cost of up to $200,000.

Watch the Channel Ten interview here

Pralatrexate for Australian patients with relapsed peripheral T-cell lymphoma is now available.

At a recent PBAC meeting the drug Pralatrexate was given a positive recommendation by PBAC and was subsequently listed for PBS approval from 1 April 2018. This is great news for Australian patients with the rare subtype, peripheral T-cell lymphoma who have progressed after at least one prior therapy. Pralatrexate - known as Folotyn - will provide a new treatment option for T-Cell lymphoma (PTCL) 

Thanks for getting your Legs Out for Lymphoma - $85,000 raised!

Lime was the colour of the day at walks across Australia when over 1,000 people joined us at Legs Out for Lymphoma 2017/18. In total over $85,000 was raised for the lymphoma nurse project to make sure that no one walks alone; that every call to the hotline is answered; and that lymphoma information is available where and when required.

THANK YOU to everyone who took part, volunteered, shared their personal story, donated prizes, spread awareness and got behind the event - you are all amazing and we are grateful to you all. See you again soon!

Be on the lookout for date claimers for the 2018/19 events (to be announced soon). Contact us to host a local walk - enquiries@lymphoma.org.au

Get on board ! You can cut, colour or shave for lymphoma!

Do your bit to support children and adults with Lymphoma. The funds you raise will ensure Australians know more about Lymphoma and the signs & symptoms. You will also be supporting our Lymphoma Care Nurses who are helping all Australian patients, understand and navigate the lymphoma journey .

It's easy to sign up online for a rewarding experience. There are fundraising options to suit everybody!

Ways to get involved:

1. Put Lymphoma in the Limelight - create your very own online fundraising page
2. Plan a lime event - you could host a garden party or workplace morning tea
3. Complete a personal challenge - give up something you love for a month, face a fear
4. Lose your locks for lymphoma - shave your head or beard or opt to colour or clip it short instead

We all have the potential to make a difference and we can help you get started. Get creative, get inspired and get active!! Set up your online page and put lymphoma in the limelight!