Hospice staff set to ‘sock it’ to lymphoedema

Staff at St Catherine’s will be pulling on their most colourful tights and wackiest socks on Wednesday March 7 to celebrate Lymphoedema Awareness Week.

The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Sock it to lymphoedema’ and encourages people to raise awareness of the condition through their tights and socks.

The team from the hospice’s Woodside Clinic, which treats people with both cancer and non-cancer related lymphoedema, will be leading the way, with other departments across the organisation following suit.

We’re also sharing the story of Woodside Clinic patient Janine Gibson, who said: “I am in a much better place than I was a year ago.

“I know we cannot cure it, but knowing I have the help and expertise of Julie and the team is comforting. They are always suggesting different things we can try that might be able to help.”

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Debbie Murphy, lymphoedema services manager, said: “We’re looking forward to bringing a splash of colour to St Catherine’s this March as we pull on our craziest tights to celebrate the awareness week! We hope it will get people talking about this condition so that more people understand what it is, how it affects people, and how the Woodside Clinic supports those in Central Lancashire and beyond with lymphoedema to lead the most fulfilling and independent lives.”

Lymphoedema facts

      Lymphoedema is a condition which affects the lymphatic system, the process by which we filter and drain waste fluid from our bodies.

      If this system stops working, the accumulation of fluid in the body’s tissues causes swelling known as lymphoedema.

      There are two types – primary, which is often hereditary – and secondary – which can be brought about by cancer treatment, surgery, trauma or infection.

      The team at The Woodside Clinic aims to ease discomfort, improve quality of life and boost independence of patients by teaching them how to manage the condition as best they can at home.

      This includes advice around skin care, diet and exercise, massage and the right clothing / hosiery to wear, along with specialised treatments using the latest equipment at the clinic.

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