Who we are

Women in Lymphoma (WiL) is an alliance of approximately 900 lymphoma clinicians, researchers and educators from 50+ countries around the world. The group's core mission is to advocate for leadership for women in lymphoma. WiL is led by a Steering Committee of 22 women from nine different countries.

Women in Lymphoma is very grateful for the enabling support of Lymphoma Australia www.lymphoma.org.au Lymphoma Australia is the only not-for-profit charity in Australia dedicated to patients with lymphoma, the sixth most common cancer. With more than 100 different subtypes of Lymphoma, both diagnosis and treatment options can be confusing. Lymphoma Australia - in conjunction with their medical advisory board - helps patients and their families to understand their diagnosis and treatment options, by providing information packs to patients and hospitals and hosting education days and webinars to help people better understand Lymphoma.

Women in medicine often struggle with being overlooked for opportunities and positions, beat out by male colleagues. Part of the problem is gender bias (overt or unconscious) on the part of leaders, but in addition, women are socialised from an early age to behave in ways that make them less likely to seek advancement. 

What can we do about this? In the book titled, “Between Grit and Grace”, author Sasha Shillcutt, MD discusses the “silent pick me” syndrome. “As women, we often stay in the safe place of waiting to be picked, wishing for permission to step forward.”  Data suggest that men tend to put themselves forward for career advancing opportunities more often than women, even when less qualified. 

Here are two challenges: 

1) Junior and mid-career women: put your hands up! Believe in yourself, stretch yourself with new opportunities, and 

2) Mid- and late-career women: sponsor junior colleagues, and encourage male sponsors to do likewise! Recommend women to society committees, positions within your institution, collaborations, etc. 

What can you do right now to move yourself or a colleague forward? Together we will go far! 

Where there's a WiL, there's a way.

Please contact wil@lymphoma.com.au to join WiL's membership distribution list and receive updates on WiL's educational webinars, newsletters and other news and events.