February has been a very busy fast moving month and at times my feet haven't touched the ground. The website is now averaging 140 viewings per day and over a 7 day period that is 980 viewings. Overall we are not far off 45,000 viewings. The community page has had 145 likes with traffic improving over the last couple of weeks. Our lovely Facebook online support group has 299 members and I hope we will reach 300 members soon. This is way beyond my expectations but goes to show that their is a need for all our lovely members to feel safe to rant, complain and positively support each other. Importantly our members know they are not alone in dealing with this condition. A big thank you to all that have made this possible.
Early in February I was asked to write a short article for the Mary Ann Evans Hospice newsletter, telling them about our website and online support group, this will be published soon.
Our Spring Event has a change of venue. This event will take place at the Mary Ann Evans Hospice on the 13th May 2015 between 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. We have a limited amount of places and there is no charge however, we do ask for a donation for the Hospice. Medi are sponsoring a buffet lunch and beverages will be provided. There will be a Healthy Steps demonstration provided by one of the qualified instructors from the Hospice. Medi will give a talk on skin-care and hosiery, there will be hosiery to look at. Trulife will be showing us the latest prosthesis and lingerie, Sally and her team will be provide a fitting service. Complimentary therapist Caroline Pearson will also be doing a demonstration. There will be lots of time to chat and if you wish, to talk about your Lymphoedema. This event is open to both Primary and Secondary Lymphoedema patients. You will find a registration form under Spring Event on this website.
The newsletter because of the fast moving events had to be re-written several times. Also the posters for our Spring Event took some time. I have also produced a new LWO Flyer which you will find under Newsletter to print/copy and I hope you will see if you can have this displayed in GP surgeries, clinics, hospitals, libraries and anywhere else you think will help to promote Lymphoedema. All of us need to get the message out that Lymphoedema exists, we exist.
We have also been supporting the BLS (British Lymphology Society) campaign by signing their petition and downloading the template to send to our MP's. The campaign states that for every £1.00 spent on treatment for Lymphoedema patients the NHS will save £100.00. (This petition is now closed).
Finally 2nd March - 6th March is Lymphoedema Awareness week if there are events in your area please support them.
