Lymphedema Awareness & Support Project

Goals

Provide access to bandaging needs and compression garments for the treatment of lymphedema for afflicted women in Collier and Lee counties.

2007-2008: treated 15 persons as of Jan 2008
2006-2007: treated 20 persons
2005-2006: treated 7 persons

Provide transportation to/from physician-prescribed therapy sessions with a certified lymphedema therapist for afflicted women in Collier and Lee counties and who have no financial or physical means to reach these sessions.

2007-2008: no requests so far
2006-2007: 20 persons

Lymphedema Awareness Totes: Provide surgical breast cancer patients with information on the risks of developing lymphedema, assistance with coping if it develops, support group and financial assistance information, and therapist referral. This information is provided within a colorful "tote" with product samples.

2008: 600 totes ordered and contents requested

**Additional content for these totes have been grant funded by the Episcopal Church Women

Distribute educational material in print and and online to breast cancer survivors locally and nationwide.

Printed material is regularly distributed to over 100 offices Lee and Collier counties.
Lymphedemaresources.org has provided information to almost almost 2000 unique visitors, and responded to many email contacts since it's launch in Spring of 2006.
Lymphedema Education Awareness Support Group meets monthly from Oct. - May and provides free programs on treatment and coping.

*These figures are set at 200% of the poverty guidelines established by Florida Department of Health in order to keep the eligible population as broad as possible.

Funding

This project is funded by generous grants from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Southwest Florida. While the services of this project are provided for residents of Lee and Collier County and are focused on breast cancer survivors and patients because of the source of the funding, Lymphedema Resources, Inc. has other programs in place for those who do not qualify under the Komen grant project.

Eligibility

To qualify for assistance, an individual must...

Be a resident of Lee or Collier County (validated by a driver's license, utility bill, etc).
Be referred by a certified lymphedema therapist
Have a current prescription for a compression garment (or bandaging) from a physician
Meet total income guidelines*
- $1,276/mo max for 1 person
- $1,711/mo max for 2 people
- $2,146/mo max for 3 people
- $2,581/mo max for 4 people
- $3,016/mo max for 5 people
One sleeve and/or glove and/or required bandages will be provided per each approved request.

Apply for Assistance

If you are a resident and would like to see if you qualify for assistance, you can contact us at info@lymphedemaresources.org

If you are not a resident of Lee or Collier county, Florida, we will do our best to direct you to services in your area. We suggest you start by finding a Susan G. Komen affiliate in your area. Other resources for local support include:

Lymphedema Resources, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Federal tax
exempt public charity under the Internal Revenue Code.