PULSE!Get ready to JUMPSTART 2012!

121 Edition

Hey everybody, and welcome to the first edition of Pulse for 2012!

What a busy time of semester it is; mid sems have crept upon us and late nights in the bat labs are becoming a regular occurance. For first years, reality has hit them as they tackle their first uni exams, and for the older students, well, nobody wishes the GAMSAT upon even their

worst of enemies – good luck to all.

Fresh enthusiasm and genuine intentions are the reasons that your new HMSA is ready to “Jumpstart” your student life. We are here to help you and cater for academic needs and concerns along with building a greater sense of

community within the faculty.

I would like to thank the out going HMSA for all the work they did and their contributions to the student life within this faculty, they cer-

tainly deserve our gratitude.

Looking forward, the HMSA is already devel-oping new events and programs to benefit all HSM students. The social calendar for both health and medical students is currently under major reconstruction. This fresh approach will see the inaugral Bond Physical take place in-stead of Havana Nights and the forever enter-taining North vs. South AFL match scheduled for late in the semester. In addition to this, the revamped academic event calendar has been designed and implemented to accommodate all degrees within the faculty and will be occuring later in the semester and throughout the up-

coming year.

Good luck to all in your exams, and remember to breathe! Because nobody likes sitting next

to someone having a panic attack!

Dave xx

HMSA President

Dave O’BrienDegree: Biomedical Science

Position: PresidentMy visions as President for HMSA 2012 are to:-Maintain the stability and integrity of the committee at all times, and ensure that the association represents all students within the HSM faculty, and liaise between the faculty and student body through the committee fo-cusing on equality for all sub faculties within the HSM.-Develop a new position within the committee that pro-vides opportunities for students in the sports affiliated degrees to have a direct channel to contact the com-mittee and faculty regarding course related issues. -Represent the student body and association at offi-cial HSM functions and act in the best interests of the faculty at all times and liaise with BUSA to effective-ly improve the student experience of HSM students. Also, absorb the responsibilities of committee mem-bers in the case that duties are unable to be fulfilled.

CONTENTS

Meet the HMSA team!Bushfire report

Bond AID Cambodia tripThe Silent Witness

The Evil Exam They Call GAMSAT5 Health-Inspired Books for Inspired Health Students

MedSoc ReportTrivia Night / Scrub Crawl

Icky Illnesses I’d Rather Not HaveMedical Memes

The Jumpstart Team!

Jeremy FitzpatrickDegree: Sports Management

Position: Vice PresidentMy visions as Vice President for HMSA 2012 are to:-Further enhance the academic and career devel-opment opportunities for our faculty’s students across all courses offered. Ensure the student body is properly represented through efficient and ef-fective communication channels and continue to inform the student body of the happenings with-in the HSM faculty through regular publications. -Strengthen and Improve the HMSA’s reputation for the running of social events, through the co-ordination of new events and improvement of existing events to cater for all HSM students as well as the greater Bond University Community. -Develop programs and avenues for incorporat-ing HSM students and their coursework into ex-ternally competing Bond University Sporting Teams, to provide an entry-level step to ‘real world’ sport science and physiotherapy practice un-

der the supervision of Bond University Professors.

Hannah Evans-BarnsDegree: Biomedical Science

Position: SecretaryMy visions as Secretary for HMSA 2012 are to:-Enable smooth coordination and run-ning of HMSA meetings and events. -To strengthen and improve cohesion between the HMSA and HSM students by ensuring good com-munication between all members and faculty.-To maintain and improve the presence of the HMSA in the wider Bond communi-ty by ensuring productivity and efficiency.

Daisy SwindonDegree: Biomedical Science

Position: TreasurerMy visions as Treasurer for HMSA 2012 are to:-To responsibly assign and budget HMSA funds in or-der to safeguard the longevity of academic and so-cial events in the interests of all members of the faculty. -Along with all members of the committee, I intend to facilitate strategic expenditures that shall bring a wealth of student learn-ing opportunities for all Medicine and Health Sciences students. -To effectively liaise with the executive committee and BUSA to en-sure the interests of the faculty are effectively communicated and cohesively aligned with those of the overarching student body.

JUM

PSTAR

T: You

r new

HM

SA!

Hashim AbdeenDegree: Medicine

Posotion: MedSoc Representative(Hav

e yo

u h

ad y

ou

r a

nn

ual

ch

eck

up?

…)

Joe McLachlanDegree: Sports Science

Position: Social DirectorMy visions for Social Director for HMSA 2012 are to:-Increase participation and attendance at North Vs South by ensuring the event is continually im-proved and enhanced to allow for social atmosphere. -Introduce HMSA into the social calendar by es-tablishing an entirely new premier event, en-suring the integrity of the faculty is upheld.-Incorporate the faculty and students into the rest of the university by improving relation-

ships between other student associations.

Lana JephcoteDegree: Biomedical Science

Position Academic Affairs DirectorMy visions for Academic Af-fairs Director for HMSA 2012 are to:-To continue the implementation, evolution and success of the new 2012 HMSA Mentoring Program.-To act as the bridge between student and teacher to make sure student concerns, is-sues and learning standards are being met. -To organize, provide and run rewarding career sem-inars, events, help sessions or provide information

that is targeted to HMSA student’s wants and needs.

James AllenDegree: Sports Management

Position: Sponsorship DirectorMy visions for Sponsorship Director for HMSA 2012 are to:-Improve and strengthen the current relationships with ongoing HSM sponsors and develop new re-lationships with potential sponsors to improve HSM’s opportunities, both socially and academically.-Liaise with sponsors whose support is not only be valu-able for the HSM through a monetary sense but also be valuable to student’s chosen industry, giving the student body a greater opportunity to excel in their chosen field.-Communicate with the HSM as an entirety and en-deavour to uncover their wants and needs when it

comes to sponsorship in their faculty and act on them.

Logan KratzerDegree: Biomedical Science

Position: Promotions DirectorMy visions for Promotions Director for HMSA are to:-To ensure the successful implementa-tion of the new role of Promotions Director. -To continue and improve upon the promotion of regu-lar social and academic events in the HSM faculty, so you as a student of the HSM are aware of what’s happening. -To increase awareness of the HMSA and its activities, throughout other university faculties to provide the students of HSM greater networking opportunities.

JUM

PSTA

RT:

Yo

ur

new

HM

SA!

(Bulk-billed with SAM...)

Alyce LalieuDegree: Medicine

Position: Publications DirectorMy visions for Publications Director for HMSA 2012 are to:-Maintain ‘Pulse’ magazine (the HMSA publication), and im-prove it by printing articles that are interesting and applica-ble to the various bodies of Health Sciences and Medicine students, as well as having more input from each faculty.-Enhancing the overall cohesion between HMSA and whole Bond community, through liaison with Scope magazine and reflections on some of Bonds’ more general social events.-Finding innovative ways to connect Bond HMS stu-dents to the wider community, by showcasing health-re-lated events and opportunities, as well as publishing in-

teresting and applicable research, fun facts and articles!

Megan BallDegree: Biomedical Science

Position: IT DirectorMy visions for IT Director for HMSA 2012 are to:-To continue the implementation of the HMSA web-site and create a new base for HSM students to ac-cess current information in regards to social events, academic advice and the publications of the HMSA. -To increase the awareness of the HMSA and its activity through social media such as Facebook and Bondsync so HSM students can get more involved within our community. -To implement an IT seminar in Orientation Week, so that new HSM Bondies know how to access the HMSA Bondsync and Facebook site from the get-go. This will allow students to

be in touch with the HMSA in the early days of their studies.

Rosie VinerDegree: Forensic Science

Position: Health RepresentativeMy visions for Health Representative for HMSA 2012 are to:-To provide greater information, field experience, career knowl-edge and opportunities for graduating Health Science students. This will ensure a positive attitude towards future ambitions, study and work placements of Bond Health Science Students-To maintain the smooth flow of information between the academic board, Course coordinators, lecturers and students. This will ensure that all positive feedback, constructive criticism and academic is-sues are dealt with swiftly, professionally and to a high standard. -To generate a greater sense of pride and faculty spirit amongst the Health Sciences in order to encourage great-

er networking, socializing and promotion of the HMSA.

James ColdhamDegree: Medicine

Position: Medicine RepresentativeMy visions for Medicine Repre-sentative for HMSA 2012 are to:-Maintain and facilitate relationships between medical students and health science students.-Liase between the Medical Society and the HMSA to ensure that they work cohesively and ensure that Medical students are provided with opportu-nities to mix with other students from the faculty.-Review and improve the role of Medi-cal Representative to ensure the role is max-imised in the HMSA ad Medical Society.

Hello to all our regular BUSHFIRE Members and anyone else interested in joining Bond’s Rural

Health Club!

BUSHFIRE is devoted to enhancing your experience as a Medical Stu-dent through attending and organising rural and indigenous health events, including clinical sessions, to practice real life skills which will be invaluable when on placement. Meetings are held on the Tuesday of Weeks 3, 6, 9 and 12 so check your announcements page for details and come along to be involved. This semester is packed full of opportunities so below is a list of all our upcoming events... 3rd March: ‘Go Rural’ event in Brisbane – Contact BUSHFIRE if you can help out at a trade stall for the

morning

15th March: Health Careers in Bush Workshop

17th March: Midnight Muster, Beaudesert Race Grounds, BYO tent and arrive between 1600-1800 for a night of partying while supporting the ‘Royal Flying Doctor Service’

13-14th April: Health Careers in Bush Meeting in Toowoomba - Volunteers needed!

April - End of Semester 1 Holidays: Rural High School Visits (RHSV) to promote health careers to rural high school students- Anyone keen to help out please see BUSHFIRE

4-7th May: Stanthorpe Rural Awareness Weekend - Applications will open soon for anyone interested in learning some new clinical skills while mingling with other rural health students from UQ, JCU and

Griffith :)

8-10th June: RDAQ Conference at Sanctuary Cove - Register your interest with BUSHFIRE

Check out our website:

www.gobushfire.org

(Be biopsychoSOCIAL…)

It was safe to say that I was mentally unprepared for what would be the best experience I’ve had at Bond. My expectations were low…. terrible facilities, strange food, disgusting humidity, food sickness every second day with a group of people I didn’t know didn’t overly thrill me in the days leading up to departure. These fears were quashed at Brisbane airport and I had a fantastic time doing rewarding and interest-ing work with a new group of great friends. I strongly urge anyone who is interested in volunteering or doing something different over their holidays to get involved in Bond Aid and look out for future trips.

Over the summer holidays 14 Bond students flew to Cambodia to spend the 4 weeks volunteering in a rural region near the Thai-Cambodia bor-der through the group Bond Aid. Non-medical students of the group (there were 9) group volunteered at a school and an orphanage while the meddies spent their time in the local hospital.

The conditions and resources at the hospital were surprisingly bet-ter than what we were expecting. We spent our mornings doing ward rounds and encountering cases ranging from TB and AIDS patients to motor vehicle and snakebite patients with the help of our incredibly talented translator, Mr. Ear. The doctors we spent our time with were all knowledgeable and happy to have us there ev. In the afternoons we spent our time doing a range of activities including building paths, cleaning wards, folding gauze and dressing wounds . The biggest dis-appointment with the hospital was the attitude of some of the nurs-es and doctors who could be found watching TV or gossiping in staff rooms as whole wards went unattended and patients went untreated.

We were also able to spend time in the orphanage after our hospital visits, which was a nice change of pace. There we spent our time swimming, teaching, playing chasey and painting fac-es but mostly playing volleyball or soccer with the most amazing and cheerful group of children I’ve met.

The weekends were spent in the major cities which was an amaz-ing way to absorb more of the Cambodian culture. Christmas was spent in Phnom Penh where we saw the not so merry Khmer Rouge killing fields and S21 prison, New Years was spent in Siem Reap visiting the world heritage listed temples of Ankor Watt and the final weekend we broke off into small groups to explore areas that interested it. I visited Battambang, home of a bam-boo train and Cambodia’s only vineyard (the wine taste and tex-ture would be comparable to that of licking the trunk of a tree).

(This won’t hurt a bit...)

By James Coldham

Wally, with his vast experience and the keen eyes of his students examined the remains, which were beginning to paint a picture that put holes in the details delivered by the police informant. Numerous fractures and breaks in the bones including broken femur, humerus and carpal bones suggest-ed perhaps the victim had been involved in a physical altercation before death. A full autopsy is to be conducted, endeavouring to shed light on how and when this poor fisherman met his demise, and whether it was death by overdose as disclosed by the police informant, or if in fact foul play had occurred as numerous injuries on the dece-

dent revealed....

The Silent WitnessWalter Wood and his forensic anthropology class were called upon by the Abbey Museum of art and archaeology to in-vestigate reports of a clandestine burial of a body in the grounds nine years previously. Walter and his team attended the burial site on Saturday 4th February, hoping no person had in fact met such a dire fate and the police informant was incorr ect. Unfortunately for Wally and his team, they were labouring under a misapprehension – The police informant was in fact correct, and a human skeleton was discovered.

Upon excavation of the site under close super-vision of Wally and an archaeologist, the dece-dent’s remains were lifted, along with a num-ber of personal chattels and items of evidence. The skeleton was still fully clothed and robbery had not seemed apparent. Stringent care was exercised in the excavation and lifting of the skeletal remains and the evidence, so as to con-duce an accurate investigation into how the vic-tim had met their demise. Police had been ad-vised the victim died of an illicit drug overdose, and as such was disposed of clandestinely in the hope to remain unreported and unfound.

At the end of a long hard Saturday in Coloundra, sur-rounded by numerous informed and experienced excavation experts, the second year Forensic class was all smiles – heading home strewn with dirt and

knowledge.

And as for the skeleton, well… the silent witness will have the final say.

By Adrian Potter and Rosie Viner

That Evil Exam they call...If you’re feeling anything like I was this time last year, merely hearing the word “GAMSAT” makes you want to cry. The good news is – it is possible to do well and get into med school. The bad news is – the next few weeks will be filled with the painful procedures of studying for GAMSAT, having mental breakdowns on the day of GAMSAT, nearly failing your mid sems because of GAMSAT, eating off the streets because you are so poor from GAMSAT and lying to your parents about how much study you have actually done for GAMSAT!

Calm down! It’s not that bad……As a Bondie, you have a significant disadvantage in terms of studying for GAMSAT so I hope this little article can provide a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, and I will share with you some of the things that I did to succeed and get into Medicine.

Unlike other uni’s, you have not had the last 3 months off on holi-days to study for this nerve-wracking exam. Non-Bondies also won’t be trying to juggle mid-sem exams and GAMSAT at the

same time.

Don’t sit and cry about this.

If I learnt anything from my year of trying to get into Med, it was to control the controllable. By that, I mean focus on the things that YOU can control. The timing of gamsat and lack of prep time

is not one of them, so don’t waste your time thinking about it.

In terms of studying – you would be surprised how little knowledge you actually require to succeed in GAMSAT. Don’t try to memorise the science – its about concepts. You won’t get a question in the exam where you think, “Oh, I remember this being in the book!” – if they did that the 8000 people who sit GAMSAT would all get good marks. They’re testing your ability to use the knowledge and experience you have to critically decide what the answer ISN’T. I didn’t try to pick the right answer – because you never know which one is right. I just made sure I didn’t pick the wrong one. Sounds stupid, but in nearly every question, you’ll find that 2 of the 4 options can’t be right. Take a guess and pick one of the two that are left. A one in two chance is better than a one in four!

When I said earlier to control the controllable, I chose to fo-cus on the writing tasks. I had two reasons: one, I hadn’t writ-ten an essay since Year 12; and two, it’s the only section of the exam where you CAN’T be wrong. No matter what the topic or quote was, I practiced following the same structure for every essay. You have an hour to write two essays – you don’t have

time to be thinking about how you will structure it.

A very wise piece of advice that I got about writing essays was that every candidate will write 2 essays. These are each marked by 3 different people. Do the maths - that’s 6 essays being read for every person. The markers will get bored. 9

people out of every 10 will write about the same thing –

be the one person who writes something a little abstract and out there

– this will capture the attention of the marker and they will be more inclined to give you better marks because they know

you have given it a little thought.

(Ticket rebate available from Medicare…)

GAMSATI told myself I was only sitting GAM-SAT once, so I had better do it proper-ly the first time. I spent over $1000 on prep material and attending courses – BUT – I’m in Med School now, not having to pay another $500 to repeat

it this year.

Spend the money and try to only do it once.

Another really important thing – find somewhere to stay in Brisbane the night before GAMSAT – trust me, you do not want to spend the morning of the exam freaking out because you’re stuck in traf-fic. So many people missed sitting GAMSAT because they got stuck in traffic and were too late. And train yourself to be able to sit for four hours without going to the toilet – the only time you can go to the toilet is during the exam, NOT in the break times. Not sure about you, but I was not going to waste five minutes going to the toilet when there’s barely enough time to finish the exam itself!

I’d love to tell you all about the painful interview process as well – but get through GAMSAT first, and then you can start worrying about the interview process.

Good luck – as painful as it is now, it is truly rewarding when you see your mark and know that it has been

worth it!

By Kaitlin Faulkner

Feel yourself “dumbing down” between semesters?

5 HEALTH-INSPIRED BOOKS FOR INSPIRED HEALTH STUDENTS

The Brain That Changes ItselfDr Norman Doige

If you can only read one non-fiction, science-orientated, life-changing book this semester, make it this one! Doige offers a comprehensive, intriguing and light-hearted look into neuro-plasticity; the human brain’s ability to adapt to any situation it’s presented with. Told through touching and personalised interviews with patients, doctors, and scientists, the book ex-plores research into neuroplasticity, patients suffering from neurological disorders and how their brains have adapted to compensate these disorders, and mind-boggling technol-ogy that allows blind people to see, stroke victims to com-pletely recover, and people with severe learning disabilities to advance to above the average intelligence for their age. The book also has practical applications that will be sure to change the way you live your life! If none of the above seems appealing to you, then at least pick it up to find out about the gentleman whose lifelong medical condition lead to some

very public sadomasochism.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta LacksRebecca Skloot

An interesting mix of bioethics and history, this book is an abso-lute must-read for all Health Sciences and Medicine students. In 1951, an African American mother of five sought treatment for her cervical cancer at a charity hospital, as she lived in poverty and had no health insurance. Her name was Henrietta Lacks, and this non-fiction book follows her “immortal” life; two small tissue samples were taken from her tumour, and used to estab-lish the “HeLa” immortal cell line (which, more than 60 years after Lacks’s death, is still prominently used for research to-day). Skloot thoughtfully and elegantly explores the complex emotional, scientific and legal issues Lacks’s life engendered, through prose-like narrative and interviews with various doc-

tors, scientists, and Lacks’s own family.

(Are you ready to turn your head and cough?)

5 HEALTH-INSPIRED BOOKS FOR INSPIRED HEALTH STUDENTSBorn To Run

Christopher McDougallMcDougall, sick of suffering many running-related sporting injuries, tracks down members of the reclusive American Indian Tarahumara tribe, who have the ability to run large distances (commonly over 160km) at incredibly fast speeds, without sustaining injuries. After researching the Tarahumara, McDougall modelled his own running style on them and overcame his sporting injuries, as well as promot-ing the ‘endurance running hypothesis’. This New York Times Best Seller is a witty and fun read. Keep an eye out for the film to be made of McDougall’s book, to be written and directed by Peter Sarsgaard!

Easy Way to Stop Smoking Allen Carr

This book topped the non-fiction charts in nine countries, and today still remains the highest-selling book on quitting smoking worldwide. Carr takes an unusual approach on how to quit; he suggests that the feeling of “relief” that smokers get when they smoke a cigarette is how non-smokers (who don’t have withdrawal symptoms) feel all the time. Carr also asserts that withdrawal itself is more a state of mind than a physiological state, making it a lot easier to not be affected by it. When I worked in a bookstore, I had at least one customer every shift come in and rave about this book; Carr’s way of explaining the psychology behind smoking makes it easier to understand and get over any addic-

tions. Best thing about this book? It’s only about $15!

The End of Illness

David B. Agus, MDAgus, an oncologist and entrepreneur, writes a health self-help book like no other. Shunning simple answers, supplements and “quick fix” solutions, Agus instead insists on the complexity of the human body and a so-phisticated understanding of medical research to find practical methods for preventing disease and improv-ing health. Amongst all the “common sense” advice, Agus offers an easily accessible explanation of com-plex science and its practical applications. Be warned: the book suggests a strict routine with regularly sched-uled exercise, eating and sleep times, which may not

be suited to a Don’s/East/Shooters etc regular!

President   Hashim  Abdeen  Clinical  VP   Zahin  Ilahee  Pre-­‐Clinical  VP   Aimee  Huynh  Treasurer   Jasryn  Dhaliwal  Sponsorship  &  Merchandising   Kimberley  Bradshaw  AMSA  Representative   Johnathan  Mah  Secretary   Jessica  Ng  Social  Director   Rachael  Jacob  

Academic  Liaison  Officer   Neha  Tiwari  Publications  Officer   Christina  Popovic  IT  Officers   Clinton  Colaco  &  Nandini  

Prasad  Junior  AMSA  Officer   Naim  Mridha  Postgraduate  Officer   Amani  Savy  

TRIVIA NIGHTOn Tuesday the 31st of January, MSSBU held their 2nd annual Trivia Night. It was a chance for everyone to show off their quirky knowledge, and we had a great turnout from

both the medical and non-medical faculty. Happening at Don’s Tavern, the night was a great success with the 12 teams battling it out till the very end. Congrat-ulations to team Triple Treat who took the title of ‘Trivia

Gods’!!!Rachael Jacob

Scrub CrawlIt’s that time of year

again...That’s right – Scrubcrawl

2012 WAS HERE!!!!!1On Friday the 17th of Febru-ary, the infamous and wild ‘Scrubcrawl’ occurred! The popular night hosted with Griffith Medical School lived up to all its expecta-tions. With around 350 medi-cal students donning scrub attire, the night began at CBD and ended up no place other than Surfer’s Para-dise. It was unforgettable night for all students and we leave you with one mes-sage...365 days till Scrub-

crawl 2013!

Rachael Jacob

(Do

you

need

a refer

ral to

the b

ar?...)

Become a part of MAPs future!

Join some of Queensland’s most prominent Health Professionals!

MAP has been at the forefront of providing superannuation and financial services to members of the medical professions since 1957.

If you are already an associate member, become a financial member today and be in the running for a MAP Text Book Bursary!!

For more information contact Isabel Jantos isabel.jantos@student.bond.edu.au

Tickets available under the arches

Monday - Friday

Icky Illnesses I’d Rather Not HaveFish Odour Syndrome

Fish odour syndrome, or trimethylaminuria, is a disorder that causes the sufferer’s breath, sweat and urine to give off a strong fishy smell (not that breath, sweat or urine other-wise have great odours). It’s caused by the in-ability of the body to break down a specific, fish-odoured compound in foods. There is no cure, but sufferers can control the symptoms by avoiding certain foods and taking antibiotics.

Medical Students’ SyndromeMedical students’ syndrome is a temporary, hypochon-dria-like mental condition that strikes medical students, causing them to believe that they are suffering from the diseases that they’re studying. By some reports, up to 80% of medical students experience it at some point as a result of studying such frightening diseases in such

a highly suggestible environment.

Walking Corpse SyndromeSufferers of walking corpse syndrome, also known as the Cotard delusion, believe that they are dead, decaying or have lost body parts or internal organs. In some cases, victims believe that they don’t even exist. Like the Capgras delusion, walking corpse syndrome is typically the result of brain damage or mental illness.

Stendhal SyndromeStendhal syndrome is the name given to a feeling of anxiety -- dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, even hallucinations and fainting -- upon seeing beautiful works of art. The overwhelming sensation can come from the exceptional beauty of one particu-lar piece of art or from the abundance of art in one location. The condition is most widely associated with the art of Florence, Italy, al-though it has been applied to similar reac-tions to overwhelming beauty of any type.

Alien Hand SyndromeAlso known as Dr. Strangelove syndrome and “an-archic hand,” AIS is a neurological disorder that makes the victim feel like he has lost control of one of his hands. In extreme cases, sufferers have been reported to engage in violent wrestling with their own hand, with the appendages even trying to stran-gle the patient while sleeping. Alien hand syndrome is caused by trauma to the brain -- such as a stroke, aneurysm or head injury -- and the symptoms can be treated, although the condition itself has no cure.

SexsomniaSexsomnia is a sleep disorder that, much like sleepwalking, compels the sufferer to engage in sexual activity while asleep. Identified in 2003, sexsomnia has since been cited to ac-quit defendants accused of sexual assault in

British and Canadian criminal cases.

(Are you going to pass the Physical?...)

Health Awareness in MARCH

1 - 31: Lymphodema Awareness MonthOrganisation: Australasian Lymphology Associa-

tionLymphodema, also known as lymphatic obstruction, is when a compromised lymphatic system leads to localised fluid retention and tissue swelling.

1-31 March: National Epilepsy Awareness Month

Organisation: Epilepsy AustraliaThe term ‘epilepsy’ covers a diverse range of chronic neurological disorders which are char-acterised by recurrent seizures. Epilepsy can be controlled, though not cured, with medication.

11 - 17 March: World Glaucoma WeekOrganisation: Glaucoma Australia Inc.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the world. It is an eye condition, where the retinal ganglion cells of the optic nerve are damaged.

12 - 18 March: Brian Awareness WeekOrganisation: The Dana Foundation

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is the glob-al campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research.

15 - 17 March: World’s Greatest ShaveOrganisation: Leukaemia Foundation

Shave, colour or wax your hair to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation! Money raised goes to support services for patients with leu-kaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or other blood-related disorders, and their families. Raised money also helps fund blood cancer research.

21 March: World Down Syndrome DayOrganisation: Down Syndrome International

Down Syndrome, caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome, is a condition associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.

25 - 31 March: Arthritis Awareness WeekOrganisation: Arthritis Australia

‘Arthritis’ is an umbrella term for more than 100 medi-cal conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, particularly the joints. Arthritis Awareness Week aims to promote the options available to help manage arthritis.

26 March: Purple DayOrganisation: Epilepsy Australia

Global Awareness Day for Epilepsy. Join with Epi-lepsy Australia and raise awareness of epilepsy. You can participate by ‘going purple’ and hold-ing Purple Day events to help raise much need-Check out the above organisations’ websites

to see how you can get involved!