Australians call for visibility as landmarks turn blue for Lymphoedema Awareness Week
Announcement posted by Lymphoedema Association Australia 02 Mar 2026
Thousands of Australians are living with a painful, lifelong and often invisible condition and this week, the country will light up blue to make sure they are seen.
Lymphoedema Association Australia will host its fourth annual Lymphoedema Awareness Week, 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 - like the National Museum of Australia and AAMI Park Stadium - along with many others in every state and territory will illuminate blue, creating powerful visual moments that symbolise visibility, validation and hope for the lymphoedema community.
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.
Dr Debbie Geyer, General Practitioner and Vice President of Lymphoedema Association Australia, with lived experience of the condition says; "Lymphoedema changes your life in ways most people never see. 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."
Australians with lived experience are available for interview in every state and territory this week.
Lymphoedema Awareness Week: 2-8 March 2026 | World Lymphoedema Day: 6 March 2026
They can speak to:
- the emotional and physical impact of living with lymphoedema
- time spent searching for a diagnosis
- the challenges of managing a lifelong condition
- how visibility and early recognition can change lives
To arrange interviews, contact:
Oakley Grioli, ZADRO - oakley@zadroagency.com.au | 0434 295 302
About lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is swelling caused by failure or overload of the lymphatic system. It may be:
- Primary - present from birth or due to genetic factors
- Secondary - commonly developing after cancer treatment, surgery, trauma or infection
Symptoms include swelling of limbs or other body parts, stiffness, reduced mobility and recurrent cellulitis. Without proper management, lymphoedema can significantly affect physical, emotional, social and financial wellbeing.
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
Find out more here: https://www.lymphaustralia.org.au/
A full list of participating landmarks is included below.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor:
· List of community landmarks below
· Interviews are available with people living with the condition, please contact Oakley Grioli (oakley@zadroagency.com.au | 0434 295 302)
Community landmarks:
Queensland
Brisbane - Old Parliament House 3-9 March
Livingstone Shire Council - Wreck Point Lookout, Yeppoon 3-7 March
Livingstone Shire Council - Singing Ship, Emu Park 3-7 March
Livingstone Shire Council - Schofield Park Playground, Kepple Sands 3-7 March
Brisbane - Kurlipa Bridge 3-9 March
Brisbane - Neville Bonner Bridge 3-9 March
Longreach Regional Council - Longreach Council Water Tower 3-9 March
Brisbane - City Hall 6 March
Brisbane - Sandgate Town Hall 6 March
Brisbane - King George Square 6 March
Brisbane - Victoria Bridge 6 March
Brisbane - Story Bridge 6 March
Brisbane - Breakfast Creek Bridge Newstead 6 March
Brisbane - Wickham Terrace Car Park 6 March
Brisbane - Reddacliff Place Sculptures 6 March
Brisbane - Kangaroo Point Bridge 6 March
Moreton Bay Regional Council - MBRC Redcliffe Administration Building 3-9 March
Moreton Bay Regional Council - Humpybong Creek Foundation 3-9 March
Moreton Bay Regional Council - Scarborough Seat, Scarborough Beach 3-9 March
Moreton Bay Regional Council - Caboolture Administration Building 3-9 March
Toowoomba Council - Victoria Street Bridge 3-8 March
Toowoomba Council - The Annex, rear of City Hall 3-8 March
Logan City - Wineglass Water Tower Light Show 7 March
QLD Country Bank Stadium - QLD Country Bank Stadium 6 March
Longreach - Qantas Founders Museum Building & Belly of 747 Aircraft 6 March
Mackay Regional Council - Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building 6 March
Brisbane - Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges 6 March
Brisbane - Suncorp Stadium 6 March
City of Townsville - Townsville Sign 9 March
City of Townsville - Wharton Reef Lighthouse 9 March
City of Townsville - Victoria Bridge 9 March
City of Townsville - George Roberts Bridge 9 March
City of Townsville - Old Magistrates Court House 9 March
City of Townsville - Little Fletcher Bridge 9 March
City of Townsville - Central Park Boardwalk 9 March
New South Wales
Coffs Harbour - The Big Banana 6 March
Wollongong - City Beach Function Centre 6 March
Goulburn - Goulburn Soldiers Club 3-6 March
City of Newcastle - Newcastle City Hall Clock Tower 6 March
Sydney - WestConnex M4 Tunnel portals 6 March
Sydney - Bridges at M8s St Peters Interchange 6 March
Lake Macquarie - Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP) 6 March
Northern Beaches Council - Manly Town Hall 6 March
Macquarie University - Service Connect Building All of March
Victoria
Melbourne - 101 Collins Street 3-9 March
Melbourne - Old Treasury Building 6 March
Whitehorse Council - Box Hill Town Hall 6 March
Melbourne - Bolte Bridge 5 March
Melbourne - Citylink Sound Tube 6 March
Melbourne - AAMI Park Stadium 6 March
Greater Shepparton City Council - Monash Part Tree Shepparton 6 March
Greater Shepparton City Council - Riverlinks Eastbank 6 March
Greater Shepparton City Council - Victoria Park Lake 6 March
Greater Shepparton City Council - Mooroopna Water Tower 6 March
Melbourne - St Kilda Sea Baths 3-9 March
Tasmania
Wrest Point - Wrest Point Hotel & Casino 6 March
City of Launceston - Launceston Town Hall 3-8 March
Hobart - Hobart Tasman Bridge 6 March
Burnie City Council - Burnie Council Offices 3-9 March
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra - National Museum of Australia 6 March
Canberra - The National Carillon 10 March
South Australia
Adelaide - Riverbank Footbridge 6 March
Adelaide - Parliament House 6 March
Adelaide - Adelaide Town Hall 6 March
City of Whyalla - HMAS Whyalla 3-9 March
Adelaide - Adelaide Oval 6 March
Adelaide - Adelaide Railway Station 6 March
Adelaide - South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute 6 March
Western Australia
Perth - The Bell Tower 3 & 5 March
City of Bunbury - Marlston Hill Lookout 3-6 March
City of Bunbury - Koombana Bay Footbridge 3-6 March
City of Bunbury - Koombana Bay Foreshore 3-6 March
City of Bunbury - Marlston Waterfront 3-6 March
City of Bunbury - Guppy Park 3-6 March
City of Bunbury - The Navigators at the Koombana Drive Roundabout 3-6 March
City of Bunbury - Richmond Reserve 3-6 March
City of Bunbury - Arrol Crane at Jetty Road 3-6 March
City of Bunbury - Koolambidi Woola 3-6 March
Perth - Trafalgar Bridge 3-6 March
Perth - Council House 3-6 March
Perth - Matagarup Bridge 5 March
Perth - Mount Street Bridge 5 March
Perth - Northbridge Tunnel 5 March
Perth - Joondalup Drive Bridge 5 March
Perth - Sky Ribbon 3 March
Perth - Perth Station 5 March
Shire of Northam - Northam Suspension Bridge 3-6 March
City of Mandurah - Mandurah Bridge Lights 6 March
Perth - Yagan Square 5 March
Perth - Elizabeth Quay 5 March
Northern Territory
City of Palmerston - Palmerston Recreational Centre 3-8 March
City of Palmerston - Palmerston Water Tower 3-8 March
City of Palmerston - Frances Drive Light Poles 3-8 March
City of Palmerston - Memorial Park Light Poles 3-8 March
City of Palmerston - Library 3-8 March
Images
2023 & 2024 landmarks
Story Bridge, Brisbane
Sydney Olympic Park Precinct
The Bell Tower, Perth
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Media contacts:
Oakley Grioli, Account Manager, ZADRO
oakley@zadroagency.com.au | 0434 295 302
About Lymphoedema Association Australia:
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.
https://www.lymphaustralia.org.au/