Thank you for visiting my personal fundraising page to support the virtual "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" event! This page is dedicated to the memory of my father, Hal Cherman.
April 19 marked the 21st anniversary of my dad's passing away from complications due to Scleroderma. On Sunday, June 6, we are once again participating in the annual Scleroderma Stepping Out event - virtually - to help raise money for the Scleroderma Foundation so they can continue to fund research to improve treatment, help patients and their families cope and ultimately find the cure. You can support us by donating on this site.
Scleroderma (or systemic sclerosis) is a chronic, degenerative, autoimmune disease that affects the body's connective tissue due to an overproduction of collagen. The most visible manifestation of the disease is a hardening of the skin, which can deform one's appearance. Progression of the disease occurs at different paces, frequently involving complications of the internal organs. It is a painful, life altering disease that is frequently fatal.
Through my affiliation with The Scleroderma Foundation, I know several people who struggle with this disease. They endure tremendous pain and we need to find a cure for them soon!! We've made a lot of progress, thanks to several of you and to everyone else who supports this cause. My dad's prospects for a longer life would be much greater today than they were 21 years ago. We just have to keep going until this thing is eradicated for good. Scleroderma does not get the publicity and dollars that other causes do, (including diseases with a comparable or lower rate of affliction), but believe me, it's a very worthy cause. Your donations will be used effectively to fund research, support and education, and you can be confident that you've done a good deed.
Using this site for donating is fast, easy and secure. For additional information about the foundation, go to national.scleroderma.org.
P.S. If you work for a company that matches gifts, please take advantage of their generosity and have your gift matched. Here's the info you may need to provide your employer:
• Name of Organization: Scleroderma Foundation, Southern California Chapter
• Address: 8929 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 412, Los Angeles, CA 90045-3603
• Tax ID#: 77-0229244
• Website of National Organization: national.scleroderma.org
• Both the local chapter and the national organization are 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organizations
Thanks for your support, both past and present. We very much appreciate it!! Let's bring awareness and find a cure!!
Joel and Elian