Landmarks turn blue for lymphoedema awareness

Thousands of Australians are living with a painful, lifelong and often invisible condition and this week, Logan joins with the nation to light up blue to make sure they are seen.

Lymphoedema Association Australia is hosting its fourth annual Lymphoedema Awareness Week from 2-8 March, calling national attention to a condition that is frequently misunderstood, commonly misdiagnosed, and deeply impacts the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of those who live with it.

As part of the Shine a Light on Lymphoedema campaign, major landmarks in every state and territory will illuminate blue, creating powerful visual moments that symbolise visibility, validation and hope for the lymphoedema community.

Logan City Council will light up the spectacular Wineglass Water Tower at Hillcrest on Saturday 7 March, joining with national landmarks from Brisbane’s Story Bridge and City Hall to Coff’s Harbour’s Big Banana, Adelaide’s Parliament House, Perth’s Bell Tower and the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

For many Australians, lymphoedema is not just swelling; it is daily pain, restricted mobility, recurrent infections, financial strain, and the emotional toll of feeling dismissed or invisible.

Lymphoedema can occur after cancer treatment, trauma, infection, or be present from birth. In 2021 alone, there were 9,400 hospitalisations for lymphoedema across Australia, with many more people managing the condition privately without adequate support.

Early recognition and proper management can dramatically improve quality of life, but awareness remains low.

‘Lymphoedema changes your life in ways most people never see,’ Dr Debbie Geyer says, in her role as General Practitioner and Vice President of Lymphoedema Association Australia, and with lived experience of the condition.

‘As a GP and someone living with the condition, I’ve watched people struggle not just with swelling or pain, but with the emotional weight of being misunderstood or dismissed.

‘Early recognition can spare people years of uncertainty and isolation.

‘When our landmarks turn blue, it’s a powerful reminder that no one should have to fight for visibility – their experience is real, and they deserve timely, compassionate care.’

How Australians can get involved 

• Photograph the blue landmarks and share on social media and use #Lymphoedema #ShineALight
• Host a ‘Bunch for Brunch’ to raise funds for support services
• Share stories to help others recognise symptoms sooner

Lymphoedema Association Australia is dedicated to supporting people who have lymphoedema and providing a plethora of resources to help them understand the condition and connect them with a large community.

The Association’s key goals include raising awareness of the condition to ensure diagnosis is easier to achieve, supporting people living with or concerned about lymphoedema, educating all touch points in the health system as well as people and their families, and advocate for lymphoedema including affordable treatments and proper recognition of it.

For more information visit lymphaustralia.org.au.