As 2024 comes to a close the Lymphoma Australia board and team would like to wish each and everyone of you a safe and happy Christmas and holiday period.

We also remember our loved ones lost to this cancer and keep them forever in our hearts.

The research, clinical trials and new treatments for lymphoma and CLL continue to give lifesaving and life extending outcomes for our community of patients

 Remember Lymphoma Australia is always by your side.

In 2025, Lymphoma Australia will continue to advocate for government funding to support our much needed lymphoma  specialist nurses.

The complexity of this cancer can be overwhelming and our small but passionate team has been here to support you but we need government support. Lymphoma Matters Too!

I would also like to thank my hardworking and passionate team and the clinicians, nurses, researchers and health professional groups that work tirelessly behind the scenes with us.

Merry Christmas and Best wishes,

Sharon Winton, CEO
Lymphoma Australia
 

Reflecting on 2024 – A Year of Connection and Support

This year, we were privileged to travel far and wide with our support groups, bringing together more than 650 participants across Australia. Whether you joined us in Coffs Harbour, Adelaide, Melbourne, Port Macquarie, Canberra, Sydney, or connected with us online through one of our many group discussions, we hope these opportunities brought you comfort, connection, and a sense of community on your lymphoma journey.

Our groups welcomed a beautiful mix of first-time attendees, long-time participants, carers, partners, and lymphoma warriors – and as always, everyone is welcome.

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to expand our reach, visiting even more locations and creating new opportunities to support you. If you’ve been considering joining one of our groups, make 2025 the year you take the leap – we’d love to welcome you!

Here’s to another year of connection, understanding, and support. 💚

Our amazing community came together in 2024 to make a difference. From running marathons, to inspiring personal challenges, our supporters raised incredible funds to empower patients and raise awareness for lymphoma. Read more below to see the full story and discover how you can get involved in 2025!

We’re so thankful for your kindness and look forward to continuing our mission together in the new year.

This Christmas, give the gift of hope and comfort to lymphoma patients through our Gifts of Hope Christmas Appeal.

Your support will help provide Patient Treatment Support Kits, filled with essential items to ease the challenges of treatment and offer emotional support during a difficult time.

Each day, 20 Australians will receive a lymphoma diagnosis. If you or someone you love has been touched by lymphoma or CLL, you can count on Lymphoma Australia to be there, offering vital support. 

Our Patient Treatment Support Kits bring comfort and care to children and adults starting their lymphoma journey. Each kit, valued up to $150, includes essential items to ease the challenges of treatment. Thanks to our sponsors, we provide these kits free to patients. However, we rely on donations from the community to cover additional costs like shipping, handling, and extra items that make each kit complete.

This holiday season, you can make sure no one faces lymphoma alone. Your kindness will provide vital resources and remind patients that they are part of a caring community.

Help bring comfort and hope to lymphoma patients and their families this Christmas.

As we close out 2024, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to you, our valued sponsors, for your incredible support throughout the year.

Your generosity has allowed us to provide essential programs and services to those impacted by lymphoma across Australia. From expanding our support groups to increasing awareness and strengthening our community, none of this would have been possible without you.

The impact of your support has been profound, helping us reach more individuals and make a real difference in their lives. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to our mission.

Thank you for being such an integral part of this journey. We look forward to continuing our partnership in 2025 and achieving even more together.

This time of year usually means celebrations in the sun. But keeping safe in the Australian summer heat has extra challenges when you or a loved one has lymphoma. There are some extra precautions to keep in mind during these summer months, so you can make the most of the sunny weather safely.

Protecting your skin from the sun is always important – but if you're having treatment for lymphoma, or have finished treatment in the last few years, it is even more so. Treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies and radiotherapy can make your skin more sensitive to sunburn or damage. Some strategies to help avoid this include:

• Avoid being in the sun during the hottest part of the day when the sun is at its strongest, usually between 11am and 3pm

• If you do go out in the sun, remember to cover up. Wear a hat that shades your face, neck and ears; protect your eyes with sunglasses; and wear loose clothes made from cotton or natural fibres to give you extra protection

• Use suncream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and best if it is water-resistant. Reapply as often as directed, especially after swimming or exercise.

If you are out on a hot day, it is also important to keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water but it is best to avoid alcohol or drinks with too much caffeine, such as tea or coffee, as they can dehydrate you.

You may be at a higher risk of infection due to your lymphoma, or the treatment you are having. You might need to avoid swimming in public pools or natural waterways such as stagnant lakes or rivers, because of the risk of bacteria associated with these. Your skin may also be more sensitive to chemicals used in pools such as chlorine, and if so it is best to avoid this.

We want you to enjoy the upcoming holidays and summer months, and hope these tips are useful in helping you to do this safely.