Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation to Help Lymphedema Patients through GivingTuesday Initiative
November 25, 2019
Cheyenne, WY—On December 3 the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation will be raising funds through the GivingTuesday initiative to buy high-quality compression garments for local lymphedema patients who cannot afford them.
Lymphedema is a common side effect of cancer treatment and chronic vascular disease that results in painful swelling of the limbs. The condition can also lead to skin infections and often limits a person’s ability to move.
Lymphedema can be successfully managed using a variety of therapy techniques, including manual lymph drainage, the use of compression garments, exercise and self-care education.
“Unfortunately, many lymphedema patients cannot afford the high-quality compression garments that are needed to manage their condition,” said Amber Carroll, a CRMC physical therapist and certified lymphedema therapist.
Quality compression garments can cost from $200 to $1,000 apiece and need to be replaced every six to 12 months. This cost is not covered by many private insurers, and Medicare only covers the cost when garments are needed to treat specific kinds of wounds.
This lack of coverage can place significant financial stress on patients who have to choose between paying for day-to-day necessities or buying garments to treat their condition.
“It is so frustrating to watch a patient work so hard to reduce the size of an arm or leg affected by lymphedema, only to watch that person struggle with purchasing compression garments that are needed to sustain their hard work,” Carroll said. “This initiative will help so many local patients – including cancer survivors – take control of their lymphedema and health.”
GivingTuesday is an international initiative started in 2012 that encourages people to do good by giving back to their community.
For more information about the CRMC Foundation’s GivingTuesday initiative, visit give.cheyenneregional.org. You can also visit the Foundation’s Facebook page.
