Lymphedema sufferers are receiving some extra help in the area as South Central Cancer Resource (SCCR) provides funding and support for people with the illness.

A local lymphedema massage specialist, Linda Menzies, raised money for SCCR by offering $5 massages during the Home and Life Show in Morden last weekend.

Menzies started training to be a lymphedema massage therapist a few years ago when she realized there were many people in the community with lymphedema who were all forced to go to Winnipeg to receive treatment, massages and compression garments, to keep the condition from deteriorating.

"One of my goals right from the start," Menzies said, "has been to give people options when a lot of the options have been stripped from their life when they go through cancer."

Driving to Winnipeg can mean missing a day's work, which some people can't afford. Compression garments can cost hundreds of dollars every three months.

These garments include sleeves, gloves, shirts, leggings, etc. which are specially designed to gently constrict the affected area which helps the flow of normal bodily fluid through the area. It is this flow, which lymphedema can limit if untreated, meaning a cut on your arm may take twice or three times as long to heal.

"I work full time," said SCCR board member and cancer-survivor, Cindy Funk.

"So, in order to get into [appointments] in Winnipeg you need to take time off work, and that takes a lot of time. There's the driving time, the time for the appointment, fittings and various other things," she said.

Through the massages, Menzies collected $300 for SCCR.