Welcome to the Latest Edition of the Lymphoma Australia Newsletter

September is World Lymphoma Awareness Month

Lymphoma Matters too. Let’s put Lymphoma in the LIMELIGHT!

Raising awareness for lymphoma is vital. Not only because it fosters understanding of this cancer but also encourages early detection and advances in treatment options. By sharing your stories, educating our communities, and advocating for treatment access, we can continue to put lymphoma in the spotlight.

How can you help?

Go LIME this September - Shine a Light on Lymphoma

Every September, the lymphoma community comes together to mark Lymphoma Awareness Month, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Day (1 September) and World Lymphoma Awareness Day (15 September). It’s a time to unite, raise awareness, and show support for every person and family affected by lymphoma.

This year, we’re inviting you to Go LIME.  Whether that’s wearing lime green, hosting a morning tea, sharing your story, or simply helping to put lymphoma in the limelight. Why lime? Lime green is the international colour for lymphoma awareness. By wearing it proudly, you’re not only showing support, you’re also helping start conversations about a cancer that many people still know so little about.

Your support helps ensure Specialist Lymphoma Care Nurses can continue to provide guidance, care and reassurance to patients and families throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Everyday actions, big or small, make a difference. Together, we can help ensure that no one faces lymphoma alone.

Want to get involved? Register below to find out more and discover ways to Go LIME your way.

September 1 is World CLL Day

Every September 1st, the global CLL community unites to raise awareness about Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), giving those affected by a diagnosis of CLL a much-needed voice. This is an opportunity to come together to improve understanding of the medical vulnerability of CLL patients and the challenges involved in living with CLL.

Australia has approved many new treatments for CLL and SLL patients over the last decade which is great news, but we also need to ensure that the right treatment is available at the right time.

To help us understand patient needs Lymphoma Australia is launching on World CLL day a survey so you can be heard!

Help Shape the Future of CLL Treatment and Support in Australia!

If you or someone you know is living with CLL or SLL, we invite you to take part in this anonymous survey. It will take 15-20 minutes and will help Lymphoma Australia improve future care by centring it around what truly matters to patients.
Your voice and experiences matter to ensure your care and support is optimal, regardless of where you live.

Register Now for one of our Upcoming Support Groups

💚 Brisbane In-Person Support Group -- 4th September
💚 Adelaide In-Person Support Group -- 11th September
💚 Transplants In Lymphoma Online Support Group -- 18th September
💚 Melbourne In-Person Support Group -- 24th September
💚 Impacted by CAR-T Online Support Group -- 30th September
💚 Under 40's Online Support Group -- 2nd October
💚 Gold Coast In-Person Support Group -- 3rd October
💚 Cairns In-Person Support Group -- 7th October
💚 Partners and Carers Online Support Group -- 14th October
💚 Sydney In-Person Support Group -- 15th October
💚 Perth In-Person Support Group -- 26th October
💚 Impacted By Lymphoma Online Support Group -- 30th October
💚 Impacted by DLBCL Online Support Group -- 4th November
💚 Indolent Lymphoma Online Support Group -- 26th November

If you are having trouble registering for an event, please contact our nursing team at nurse@lymphoma.org.au or 1800 953 081.

Meet Anthony Rocca, AFL legend and now a proud Lymphoma Australia ambassador, sharing his journey to inspire and support others.

In early 2024, Anthony began experiencing back pain which led to tests and, ultimately, a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Follicular Lymphoma. Guided by his haematologist, he began treatment and is now in remission, continuing immunotherapy until 2026.

Like many, Anthony found the physical toll of treatment challenging, particularly the fatigue and tiredness. He’s grateful, though, for the support of his workplace, which eased the pressure of leave and finances so he could focus on his health.

Anthony first heard about Lymphoma Australia through former Collingwood teammate Gavin Crosisca. He admits he wasn’t aware of the support services available during his own treatment, especially our Specialist Lymphoma Care Nurses, but wishes he had been.

Now, as an ambassador, he doesn’t want anyone else to miss out on knowing they can reach out for that extra care and guidance.

His advice for others newly diagnosed:

Be positive. The mind is a powerful tool, and creating your own positivity can truly shape your journey.

Josh Joins Lymphoma Australia as a Go LIME Ambassador

We’re thrilled to welcome Josh as a new ambassador for Lymphoma Australia!

Josh’s lymphoma journey began when he noticed a lump on his neck, leading to a diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma. His treatment was challenging, involving chemotherapy and radiation, along with the emotional and mental battles that come with a cancer diagnosis. He recalls thinking:

“One goal, one thought, burning in my mind: beat this!”

Reflecting on his experience, Josh encourages anyone facing lymphoma to focus on the mental battle, take things step by step, and access support services, including counselling, workshops, and peer programs. He wishes he had known about Lymphoma Australia’s support during his treatment, and as an ambassador, he’s determined to make sure no one faces lymphoma feeling alone.

Josh is passionate about raising awareness, bringing people together, and putting lymphoma in the limelight, helping others connect with the support they need. Now in remission, Josh is embracing life with renewed purpose and strength, committed to supporting the lymphoma community every step of the way.

Webinars and in-person education events are led by lymphoma experts who discuss the diagnosis and treatment of specific lymphoma subtypes and key research and treatment updates.

See all our upcoming Education Events below:

Join us for a free online webinar exploring the latest in Marginal Zone Lymphoma. This session will cover current treatments and future care approaches, and is tailored to patients, families and carers of those affected by Marginal Zone Lymphoma.

🗓 Date: Monday 8 September 2025
🕓 Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm (AEST)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom
💻 Cost: Free (registration required)

Our guest speakers for this session are Dr Masa Lasica Haematologist and Clinical Researcher and Dr Jason Hu, Haematology Advanced Trainee, both from St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne.

Upcoming Canberra Education Day and Lunch

Lymphoma Australia is pleased to invite you to a special in-person education day in Canberra for patients, carers, and loved ones affected by lymphoma.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to:
          - Learn more about lymphoma and life after treatment
          - Hear from expert speakers in the field
          - Enjoy a complimentary lunch
          - Connect with others who are on a similar journey

🗓 Date: Wednesday 24 September
🕓 Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm (AEST)
📍 Location: Conference Room, Canberra Regional Cancer Centre
       Yamba Dr, Garran ACT 2605
💻 Cost: Free (registration required)

Hear from Haematologist Dr Nalini Pati discussing lymphoma surveillance and life after treatment, and Maddi Reedy and Mary Johnson, Exercise Physiologists from The Canberra Hospital.

No matter your gender or age, your fertility can be affected by treatments for lymphoma making it harder, or impossible, to conceive without medical assistance.

Different treatments can affect your fertility in different ways. Some chemotherapies are gonadal toxic, which means they can affect a woman’s ovaries or a men’s testes. In women, gonadotoxic chemotherapy often results in premature ovarian failure and infertility. Eggs stored within the ovary are vulnerable to damage caused by chemotherapy, which affects rapidly dividing cells like that of the ovary. In men, chemotherapy attacks fast growing cells, so as sperm is produced they can be affected. As well as this, other cells in the reproductive tract can also be affected.

The risk of infertility varies substantially between patients. The effect it has will depend on several factors including:

💚 Your age when having treatment
💚 The type of chemotherapy you have
💚 The dose and how long chemotherapy goes for

Some monoclonal antibodies, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab, can affect your ability to produce hormones. When your hormone levels are affected, your fertility is affected. This can be a temporary or permanent change, but does not happen to everyone. There is no way to tell if your hormones will be permanently affected by these medicines. Radiation treatment, or surgery, on or around the reproductive area can also affect fertility.

There are measures that can be put in place to try to protect your fertility. It is important that these try to be done before you start treatment, and the right option for you will depend on several factors including:

💚 how old you are
💚 if you have reached, or gone through puberty
💚 the urgency of your treatment
💚 ability to get fertility appointments before treatment for your lymphoma.

In some cases, the effect on your fertility may be permanent, meaning you will never be able to naturally get pregnant. For some people though, fertility may recover, but how long this takes is different for everyone.

Ask your doctor about what fertility options are best suited for you, or for more information visit our website: Fertility after Treatment or Fertility: Making Babies.

We understand that being diagnosed with lymphoma or CLL, and living through treatment and beyond, can be overwhelming. Many people seek additional information to help make sense of their diagnosis and care options, and our Fact Sheets can help with this.

Take a look at our new Fact Sheets on Fertility here:
💚 Fertility for boys, men, and people recorded as male at birth
💚 Fertility for girls, women, and people recorded female at birth

We are grateful for our partnership with Gloup®, who generously provide their medication lubricant for inclusion in our treatment support packs.

Gloup® is a natural flavourful lubricant gel designed to make swallowing medications like tablets, capsules and powders easier and safer for people of all ages, including those with dysphagia.

In support of Lymphoma Australia’s Go Lime campaign, Gloup is proud to offer a 20% discount on all purchases throughout September.

Use code: golime20%

Everyone’s lymphoma and CLL experience is different. Our Specialist Lymphoma Care Nurses are here to help patients and families navigate the health system, access the most up to date information about lymphoma and to take the fear of the unknown out of the lymphoma journey.

Please call to speak to one of our nurses on the Nurse Support Line 1800 953 081, or email us at nurse@lymphoma.org.au.