Living with lymphoedema isn't holding back this group, who are organising a statewide conference in Tamworth.
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The Lymphoedema Support Group Annual Conference is an information day not only for people living with the condition, but also those with a high risk of developing it.
The event will look at the latest treatment therapies and management of lymphoedema, including talks from a nutritionist, a physiotherapist and world-renowned medical researchers.
This year's conference is moving away from the city and into the country and will be held at TRECC on March 21.
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"We're all about prevention now," said coordinator of the Tamworth lymphoedema support group Sophie O'Neill, who is helping to organise the conference.
"We want to get people there that don't have lymphoedema yet because if they know they are high risk ... there's lots of things that they can do to prevent them getting it," she said.
Alison Waugh has been living with lymphoedema for 17 years and said bringing the event to Tamworth would be beneficial.
"When I initially got the lymphoedema, there was very little in Tamworth, very little information provided," Ms Waugh said.
Lymphoedema is a condition which is caused by trauma to the lymph system, often because of cancer, lymph node removal or surgery.
It causes fluid to build up in the limbs and is irreversible once symptoms show.
Ms Waugh ran the local support group for eight years before passing it on to Ms O'Neill and therapist Jodie Peatling at Tamworth Remedial Massage Centre.
"It's important ... to realise that you're not on your own, to have that emotional support from other people," Ms Waugh said.
And, it's helpful to share tips and tricks with each other about the best garments and the best place to buy them.
"New people come along and they see someone else has got a bag on or something with their leg and they go, 'How did you do that?' ... and they all start throwing around their different ways of dealing with things," Ms Peatling said.
The support group meets every second month at Tamworth Remedial Massage Centre.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
