Individuals living with and affected by scleroderma will join together at 9 a.m., on June 3, at Genesee Valley Park, Roundhouse & Canal Side Shelters, 1000 East River Road, Rochester, to take part in the annual Rochester area Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma walk. Scleroderma is a rare rheumatic disease that affects connective tissue and the vascular system, producing excessive collagen that causes fibrosis in the skin (localized) or in internal organs (systemic sclerosis). The disease can cause disfigurement and disability. For some, it’s life-threatening. There is no known cause or cure. More than 300,000 Americans live with the disease.
This year marks a special occasion for the organization. The National Scleroderma Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Founded in 1998, the Foundation has been advancing medical research, promoting disease awareness, and providing support to people with scleroderma, their families and support networks for 25 years. For the last 20 of those years, walks have taken place across the country to bring awareness to the disease and raise funds to support the National Scleroderma Foundation’s mission.
“The scope of our work is nationwide,” said Mary Wheatley, CEO of the National Scleroderma Foundation. “And we are grateful to our supporters across the country who are leading the fight against this disease. Our Rochester area walk is always a special one; walkers, organizers and volunteers are incredibly committed and passionate.”
Learn more about scleroderma and available resources at http://scleroderma.org.
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