Dates for your diary 2026
Events & Key Dates – 2026
As a busy clinician, it can be challenging to keep track of key professional events and awareness dates throughout the year. Below is a curated calendar of important lymphoedema, chronic oedema, and wound-related events for 2026, including LES education sessions, national awareness initiatives, and major conferences.
National Beat the Swell Day
Thursday, 19 February 2026
National Beat the Swell Day is a Wounds Australia–led initiative raising awareness of lower limb swelling (oedema), its causes, management options, and sources of support. Activities include public awareness events and professional learning opportunities.
Lymphoedema Awareness Week
Monday 2 – Sunday 8 March 2026
Lymphoedema Awareness Week is led by the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) and focuses on increasing awareness of lymphoedema and contemporary management strategies. Professional learning events are held throughout the week.
LES Webinar
Patient-Focused Engagement: Navigating Challenging Cases from Day One
Thursday, 5 March 2026 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm (AEDT)
This live webinar explores how early communication, psychosocial factors, and chronic stress shape engagement in complex lymphoedema and chronic oedema care. Using a real-world lower limb oedema case, the session focuses on practical strategies to reduce resistance, build trust, and support sustainable care from the first appointment.
Supported by: Huntleigh, Essity, and Haddenham Healthcare
More details & registration:
https://lymphoedemaedu.com/course-list/patient-focused-engagement-navigating-challenging-cases-from-day-one/
ALA 2026 Conference
Thursday 30 April – Sunday 3 May 2026
Cairns Convention Centre, QLD
Hosted by the Australasian Lymphology Association, the 2026 ALA Conference brings together clinicians, researchers, educators, and industry partners from across Australasia and beyond. The four-day program will explore advances in lymphoedema and lymphatic care, research, education, and service delivery.
Information and registration
LES Webinar
Spotlight on Internal Head and Neck Lymphoedema: Assessment and Management
Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm (AEST)
Held during Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, this webinar focuses on the assessment and management of internal head and neck lymphoedema—an often under-recognised condition with significant impacts on swallowing, voice, airway function, and quality of life.
The session features practical guidance from Stella Salpigtidis, Senior Speech Pathologist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, followed by a Q&A panel with Dr Amanda Pigott, exploring internal oedema, its relationship to external lymphoedema, referral pathways, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
LES Webinar
Obesity Today: Key Insights, Treatment Strategies, and Consequences for Lymphatic Health
Wednesday, 19 August 2026 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm (AEST)
Guest Speaker: Dr Alex Craven
This webinar examines obesity as a key contributor to lymphatic dysfunction and lymphoedema risk, particularly in lower limb disease. Dr Alex Craven will provide an evidence-based overview of the mechanisms linking obesity and lymphatic health, contemporary treatment strategies, and their implications for lymphoedema management and patient outcomes.
Wounds Australia 2026 Conference
Sunday 23 – Wednesday 26 August 2026
Adelaide, SA
The biennial Wounds Australia Conference is a major event in the Australian wound care calendar, featuring leading international and national speakers across wound prevention, treatment, research, and service delivery.
Wound Awareness Week
Monday 28 September – Sunday 4 October 2026
Wound Awareness Week advocates for Australians living with chronic wounds and promotes prevention, early intervention, and best practice care. A national program of education and awareness activities is delivered throughout the week.
