Autumn Open Day 2006

The next Lymphoedema Ireland Open Day will take place on Saturday, 14th October 2006 in the Education Centre,
St Luke’s Hospital,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.

Our first guest speaker is Dr Russell Mellor from Professor Mortimer’s Research Laboratory at St George’s University of London.
His subject will be:

“Findings of Research into Milroy Disease and Primary lymphoedema”.

Having studied biology at Reading University, Dr Mellor joined Professors Mortimer’s Research Laboratory at St George’s University of London in 1998. Here he was introduced to lymphoedema and the research being completed into understanding the underlying causes. Getting interested in both lymphoedema and the lymphatic system, he completed a PhD into the physiology behind breast cancer related lymphoedema (secondary lymphoedema following treatment for breast cancer) at the start of 2003. Staying on in the research laboratory, he moved over to study primary lymphoedema, specifically hereditary forms (types that run in families). In particular, for the last 3 years he has been examining the lymphatic and venous systems in Milroy disease and lymphoedema distichiasis. During his talk, he will be telling us about these findings and how they have changed the view of the underlying changes in these conditions.

Our second guest speaker is Siobhan O’Reilly. Siobhan currently runs the Physiotherapy and Lymphoedema service at the
Dun Laoghaire Medical Centre. For her talk, she has chosen the theme:

“Achieving the highest quality of life with Lymphoedema.”

Siobhan will also make a presentation on the gold standard in lymphoedema care from a research study that included 299 patients with primary and secondary lymphoedema. This study clarifies how we can achieve and maintain the best reduction possible in each patient, thus minimizing infection and ensuring a better quality of life.

Siobhan O’Reilly is a graduate of UCD School of Physiotherapy 1980. She has also studied extensively in the United States and obtained many relevant degrees including Certificate in Lymphoedema Therapy from New Jersey’s Norton School of Lymphoedema.
10 years ago Siobhan discovered she had cancer herself. Having had all her right auxiliary nodes removed , she is now very conscious of the fact that she is susceptible to developing Lymphoedema.

Agenda for Open Day

The agenda for the Open Day on Saturday 14th October will be as follows:

Registration 1045
AGM/Treasurer’s Report 1115
First Speaker/Dr Russell Mellor 1145
Lunch 1300
Second Speaker/Siobhan O’Reilly 1400
Questions 1500