• Upcoming events
• Lymphoma Awareness Month Recap
• Lung Changes and Lymphoma 
• Clinical Trials
•  Relapsed or Refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) Study
• New treatments on the PBS for lymphoma patients
• Gin Gins Ginger Candy
• Nurse Support Line

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 Upcoming Lymphoma Australia events

💚 Watch And Wait Online Group Chat -- 12th November
💚 Coffs Harbour In Person Group Chat -- 2oth November
💚 Port Macquarie In Person Group Chat -- 21st November
💚 South West Sydney In Person Group Chat -- 27th November
💚 Melbourne In Person Group Chat -- 27th November
💚 Life After Lymphoma Online Group Chat -- 4th December
💚 Sydney In Person Group Chat -- 18th December

For more information about these events, have a look at our events calendar. If you are having trouble registering for an event, please contact our nursing team 1800953081.

Lymphoma Awareness Month Recap

A Heartfelt Thank You for an Incredible Go LIME in September!

As we close the chapter on September Lymphoma Awareness Month, we want to thank everyone who participated in Go LIME and supported Lymphoma Australia. Whether you hosted events, wore lime, or generously donated, your efforts made this campaign a tremendous success!

Community Coming Together

From Cancer Care Units, schools, workplaces, tennis clubs, and individuals at home and work, communities across Australia rallied together for those affected by lymphoma. We had marathons, trivia nights, bingo, bake-offs, and lime-themed events. Runners took part in the Sydney Marathon and Bridge2Brisbane, showing their dedication to supporting Lymphoma Australia.

An amazing 113 landmarks and buildings across 71 locations across Australia lit up in lime, symbolising the strength and resilience of our lymphoma community.

Your involvement helped spread vital awareness, and it’s been inspiring to witness everyone uniting around a shared cause—raising much-needed support for Lymphoma Australia’s Care Nurses and ensuring no one faces lymphoma alone.

Celebrating Success
We’re thrilled to share that together we raised an incredible $97,798! These funds will directly support our ongoing work, providing essential resources, education, and care to patients and families.
Sharing the Journey
Throughout the campaign, we loved seeing your photos and hearing your stories. If you haven’t shared your photos yet, we’d still love to see them! Send them tofundraise@lymphoma.org.au.

Looking Ahead

While September has ended, the fight against lymphoma continues. Thanks to your support, we’ve taken another big step forward in raising awareness and strengthening our community. We look forward to what we can achieve together next year. Thank you again for your generosity and dedication to the cause.

If you ever need support, please reach out at 1800 953 081 or visit
lymphoma.org.au.

With heartfelt thanks,
Sofi and the Lime Team
Lymphoma Australia

Lung Changes & Lymphoma

Our lungs are the main organ of our respiratory system that helps us breathe. They bring oxygen into our bodies when we inhale and send carbon dioxide out when we exhale. Changes to your lungs can happen as either a symptom of your lymphoma, or be a side-effect related to your treatment, either during or after.

Some lymphomas start in your lungs, or in the area of your chest between your lungs known as the mediastinum. Lymphoma can also spread to this area or into the lungs themselves. Changes that occur as a result of lymphoma in these areas will be managed differently than if they were caused by treatment. To improve symptoms, the treatment will be to shrink the lymphoma to prevent the pressure on or in your lungs either with chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. As the lymphoma gets smaller your lungs should start to function properly again, improving your symptoms.

Treatments for lymphoma that cause lung problems are referred to as pulmonary toxicities. Radiotherapy can increase your risk of this if the radiation is to your chest, abdomen or lungs, and the risk is greater if both chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used. Certain types of treatments given also increase the risk of lung changes, including chemotherapy agents such as Bleomycin; immune checkpoint inhibitors such as Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab; or monoclonal antibodies such as Rituximab, Obinutuzumab and Brentuximab Vedotin. Although these changes are rare, it is important to report all new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.  

Symptoms of lung changes can include:

• coughing

• fever

• shortness of breath

• wheezing

• chest pain

• frequent lung infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia

• fatigue or shortness of breath during exercise

Treatment will depend on the type of changes and treatment you have had, as well as your symptoms. This could include:

• Medicine such as steroids, antihistamines, Ventolin or salbutamol puffer

• Antibiotics, antifungal or antiviral medicine

• Chest physiotherapy and exercises

• Extra time before next treatments

 Things you can do to manage lung changes include:

• Get a GP management plan

• Get your GP to do a mental health plan to help cope with changes

• Maintain a healthy weight for your height

• Exercise regularly

• Have an occupational therapist review your home to help you manage your activities of daily living

If you are experiencing symptoms of lung changes that are worsening or don’t go away, report them to your doctor or healthcare team. You may also need to see another doctor called a respiratory physician. For more information visit Lung Changes - Lymphoma Australia.

Join this study to help us better understand and treat chemotherapy-related heart damage

The Risk-guided disease management plan to prevent heart failure in patients treated with previous chemotherapy (REDEEM) study aims to understand whether chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer causes damage to the heart. We also want to know if best practice management (e.g. heart medication or exercise training) restore heart function.

If you have been treated for lymphoma over 5 years ago you may qualify for this important study which includes cardiac scans and exercise testing to see if any damage has occurred to your heart. If there is evidence of heart damage, you will receive a review with a cardiologist (heart specialist) and you could receive exercise training (e.g. cardiac rehab) and medications to help the heart recover.

We are looking for up to 10 members of our community who have experienced relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to take part in a one-hour interview. This interview is part of an important study to understand the treatment experiences of people with DLBCL.

Interested? Click the link below to register and check if you are eligible. If you qualify, the research team will contact you to schedule the interview, which can be done over the phone or online. Participants will be compensated for their time.

Your input is extremely valuable! If you are not selected for this round of interviews, there will be more opportunities to participate in the study in the future, so please stay tuned!

2 NEW treatments on the PBS for lymphoma patients

New treatments have just been listed on the PBS for Australians diagnosed with mycosis fungoides type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF-CTCL) and frontline CLL and SLL. 

Mycosis fungoides type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

LEDAGA® a topical gel is now listed and available from the 1 November for approximately 2000 patients with early stage (MF-CTCL). This new treatment should provide significant relief for Australians with this type of lymphoma. If you have (MF-CTCL) please reach out to your doctor to see if you are eligible for this treatment.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL). 

From 1 October, the all-oral, fixed-duration combination of Imbruvica ® (ibrutinib) plus venetoclax tablets will be available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to treat patients with newly diagnosed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL).

Without the subsidy, 15 months of Imbruvica and venetoclax would cost more than $190,000. Under the PBS, eligible patients will pay just $7.70 (concession) or $31.60 (general patients) each month. 

This new treatment approach involves taking Imbruvica tablets daily for three months followed by 12 months of Imbruvica and venetoclax tablets. Following 15-months of therapy, all patients stop the treatment. 

If you have been diagnosed with CLL or SLL and have not received any treatment please reach out to your doctor to see if you are eligible. 

Australian patients deserve timely and equitable access to innovative medicines, and Lymphoma Australia is committed to playing our part in delivering this in cooperation with the Federal Government.

The Ginger People

Say Hello to The Fresh Ginger Candy

Introducing Gin Gins® Ginger Candy: A New Addition to Our Treatment Support Kit

We are excited to announce the latest enhancement to our treatment support kit: Gin Gins® Ginger Candy! Supercharged with more fresh ginger than any other brand, these delightful sweets are not only delicious but also serve as a functional treat.

Rich in antioxidants found in fresh ginger, Gin Gins® are perfect for a variety of situations. Whether you’re dealing with nausea, indigestion, or simply need a little boost during air travel, road trips, or long-distance running, these candies have got you covered. 

Experience the invigorating benefits of Gin Gins® Ginger Candy, and enjoy a tasty way to support your wellness journey!

Everyone’s lymphoma and CLL experience is different. Our 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 our nurse on 1800 953 081

You can email us on nurse@lymphoma.org.au 

Leave a lasting legacy. By including Lymphoma Australia in your Will, you can help provide vital support to lymphoma patients and their families. Learn more here