Thank you for visiting my personal fundraising page to support the "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" event! We hope that you will join us at the 2022 Stampede for Sclereoderma at the Detroit Zoo this June! (In person or Virtual)
Our daughter Grace was diagnosed with Scleroderma and Systemic Scleroisis in 2015. She was 8 years old at that time. Her scleroderma is difused - meaning it covers every spot of her body from head to toe. It is not "localized" or in spots. For Grace, Scleroderma was incredibly aggressive and quickly progressing. In December 2015 it was just her head - by March 2015 it included everything to her chest. By May it was from her head to her knees and everything in between. To complicate her situation further, she also has interstitial lung disease (Fibrosis of the Lungs) and some involvement in her esophogus.
Grace has undergone dozens of tests and procedures. She has completed a very aggressive treatment protocol with a variety of IV drugs including: IVIG, Steroids, Cytoxan, and Retuximab. In addition she has been taking oral drugs for over 5 years that are Immune Supressing. Her improvement is amazing and leaves us with hope. But that's not the case for everyone, and her situation can change at the blink of an eye. We need to find more viable treatments and a cure! Please help us make it a reality for more patients. Because there are so few proven effective treatments, insurance companies often refuse to pay for these extremely expensive treatments. Please help us find answers and treatments by supporting The Scleroderma Foundation of Michigan!
Grace does not sit idle waiting for a cure. She is one of the strongest juvenile advocates I've evern seen. She has spoken to over 4000 Medical Students at various universities in Michigan (including Wayne State, Central Michigan and Michigan State) as a patient advocate and educator. She has been interviewed by several news stations about her disease. Grace speaks to groups of kids, helps fundraise, and organizes groups to march in local holiday parades to bring awareness.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support Team Grace and help raise funds for scleroderma patients. To make a donation, click the "Donate Now" button.
If you would like to join us at the event, and walk and help raise funds, please click on “Join My Team” and follow the directions.
Please help today! Invite other family and friends! The more the merrier! We sincerely appreciate your support, and are grateful for all of your kind words and encouragement as well.
Help us bring more awareness to scleroderma so we can find a cure!
Thank you! Grace, Pamela and Brian (and big brother Mason too!)
