Thank you for visiting my personal fundraising page to support the "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" event!
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to support me and help raise funds for scleroderma patients. To make a donation, click the "Donate Now" button that appears under my photo. Then, just follow the instructions.
If you would like to join me virtually and walk and help raise funds, please click on “Join My Team” and follow the directions.
I sincerely appreciate your support, and please share this with anyone who you think might want to help.
Help me bring more awareness to scleroderma so we can find a cure!
My Story: I am so lucky to have found a terrific Scleroderma support group to compliment my amazing support system. I was diagnosed with Scleroderma 15 years ago which effected the thickening of my skin and made it difficult to do many of my favorite activites with my wrists like volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf, and even biking. It was like that feeling when you hit a bad ball in golf and it really stings. I would get cold much more olten and had to be proactive in staying warm. It was managable.
But in the summer of 2018 the hardening internalized and started effecting my organs. The biggest one was my lunges and I developed pulmonary fibrosis. My lungs are not at full strength. I am seeing two terrific doctors at the Unifvesity of MN. I am taking a medication that is attempting to slow down the deteriation of my lungs, but it significantly lowers my immune system. I need to also sleep at a 45 degree angle to avoid things flowing to the wrong places. That is why I started wintering plus in FL. especially during the chilly MN months. There is no cure for either yet, but there are tons of super smart people out there. We hope this events will help build awareness.
They call Scleroderma the "designer disease" because it effects everyone differently. Symptoms include hardening of the skin, joint pain, exaggerated response to cold, & heart burn. Your body makes too much connective tissue called callogen creating the hardening.
I appreciate all those who are walking on this journey with me - I have the BEST support system EVER! Thank you for being part of that. Your prayers, good wishes, thoughtfulness and friendly smiles mean more than you will ever know. It takes a Village!
