This week marked the first ever national BLS Lymphoedema Awareness Week with over 30 events taking place across the country to help raise awareness of the condition. As part of this campaign an announcement was made at a special reception held at the International Lymphoedema Conference at Ascot this week. The British Lymphology Society and the International Lymphoedema Framework launched a joint award for industry for innovation in the treatment of Lymphoedema

Collaboration among the primary stakeholders in the treatment of chronic oedema and Lymphoedema is essential to provide the best care possible for those who really matter - the patients. Key stakeholders are the pharmaceutical companies and they have done so much in past years to support and encourage Lymphoedema organisations. Their tireless research and innovation has produced vast improvements in the treatment of Lymphoedema and the quality of life patients can expect.

"The BLS and ILF would like to further strengthen and cement that relationship by providing formal recognition of the companies' role in innovation and bringing new products to our patients," explained Christine Moffatt, Director of ILF.

"It gives me real pleasure to be able to announce the introduction of a Joint Award to Industry for Innovation in the Treatment of Lymphoedema. This trophy will be awarded annually to the company which is judged by a panel of Lymphoedema specialists to have introduced the most innovative product in the past 12 months. Companies will be able to use the recognition provided by this award on their websites and in their promotional material. The first award will be made in April 2010."

Each year BLS and ILF will focus on a particular patient group. For 2009/10 the panel will be looking for innovative products which help in the treatment of childhood Lymphoedema. The full criteria and details of the judging panel will be published available shortly.

"We wish our partners in the pharmaceutical industry every success in competing for this award. They have given a lot to us in the past, now is the time for us to give something back," concluded Cheryl Pike, Chair of the BLS.

Source
British Lymphology Society