In 2006 the LSN carried out a members' survey, which over 900 of you returned. One of the questions we asked you was what you felt the priorities should be for the LSN as we move forward; three main themes emerged:

• The inequity of care available
• The lack of knowledge within the general public
• The lack of knowledge among General Practitioners

Raising awareness among the general public is very challenging as lymphoedema is not always considered 'newsworthy' unless the most extreme and distressing cases are highlighted. However, when these cases are reported, it can often have a negative effect. So as part of our ongoing commitment to raise awareness of the condition, we needed to look at alternative ways of bringing lymphoedema to the attention of a wider audience. Many of you suggested that we produce a ribbon and wristband that supporters can wear to highlight the condition and we are delighted to report that these items will be available from the LSN office in March. Both items bear the words 'Lymphoedema Matters' and are available for a suggested donation of £1 per item. These can be purchased from the LSN using the order form in our Merchandise page.

Alternatively, you could choose to have a mixed box of items to offer to friends, family and colleagues, again for a suggested donation of £1 per item. For more information about the boxes, please contact Karen Friett on 0207 352 4249.

Reaching General Practitioners is also extremely difficult; they are very busy and many will rarely have identified lymphoedema. The LSN, the British Lymphology Society (BLS) and the ILFP are currently working together to tackle the problem. Macmillan Lymphoedema Project Manager, Jan Simmons, is working with other BLS members, patients, General Practitioners and the LSN to produce simple to follow guidelines called 'the 5 things you should know about lymphoedema' for GPs, other health care professionals, patients and those at risk of developing the condition. The campaign will be introduced on the Healthcare Republic website via an advertorial written and funded by the LSN and all of the awareness campaign information will be available on the BLS, LSN and ILFP websites. A 'trial run' of a direct mail-out to GPs of the '5 things' will allow testing of the materials and a strategy for circulation to GPs is in development by the working group for the project.

In addition, the BLS is also running an awareness week to coincide with the International Lymphoedema Framework Conference in Ascot in April. The BLS is in the process of finalising plans, but would like different regions to run local events and we would like to encourage LSN members to contact their local clinics to find out what is planned in their area and to offer support and help where possible.