help fund vital lymphoedema research
Lymphoedema is a disease that occurs when the lymphatic system doesn’t function correctly, it's thought to affect over 200,000 people in the UK. The lymphatic system is the body’s drainage and recycling system, and forms part of the body’s natural defences for fighting infection.
Lymph is the body’s fluid. It is drained from body tissues by lymphatic vessels, which are similar to veins, and transported to the lymph nodes situated in the neck, armpit and groin. When the lymphatic system fails, lymph fluid collects under the skin to cause visible swelling known as lymphoedema. Infections are a common complication and can be life threatening.
There are two types of Lymphoedema; Primary Lymphoedema, a genetic condition which usually develops during infancy, adolescence or early adulthood and is thought to affect 1 in 6000 people in the UK. Secondary Lymphoedema is much more common and is caused by damage to the lymphatic system which can happen often during cancer treatments, 2 in 10 people with Breast Cancer will develop Lymphoedema.
Due to a lack of research funding, there is a poor understanding of how the lymphatic system works and what it does to prevent and overcome diseases. This lack of research funding for lymphatic diseases needs to be addressed urgently, so that awareness is increased and new treatments are developed. The Lymphoedema Research Fund aims to do just that.
How your support will make a difference
By donating to the Lymphoedema Research Fund at St George's Hospital Charity you will help to address the urgent the need for more research into diseases of the lymphatic system.
Better treatments – there is currently no surgical treatment for Lymphoedema, more research could change that as well as developing potential new treatments for Cancer and HIV through a greater understanding of the body's ability to transport drugs around the lympahtic system.
Spread awareness – Lymphoedema is often not diagnosed correctly, more research into lymphatic diseases will increase medical and patient knowledge.
A new drug – There are hundreds of drugs known to work on the cardiovascular system, but none for the lymphatic system. More funding for Lymphoedema research could change that, vastly improving the lives of thousands of patients.
We aim to raise funds for the equipment, programme and activities identified by the Trust as their most urgent needs. For any piece of equipment, activity or research project we are supporting, there is a small chance that we will raise more money than we need. If this happens, or if for any unforeseen reason we are unable to proceed as originally intended, gifts will be used to purchase equipment, support a range of projects, for staff development and training or to fund research, all of which will benefit the patients treated in our hospitals.
