I will be participating as a satellite walker in Jacksonville, FL alongside my Jacksonville Support Group team for the Florida-Puerto Rico Chapter Stepping Out event on February 22, 2025.

It is hard to believe I have been living with Scleroderma for 26 years! It has been a roller coaster at times, a ride I would never get through without so many friends and family supporting me. I hope to repay that support to the best of my ability by helping others overcome obstacles in their life.

In early 2021 the stress of graduate school + a global pandemic sent me into a disease flare. It took me a while to get back on my feet but I started my career as a mental health counselor working in private practice in April 2023 and I feel like I am finally where I have always been headed. I especially love working with clients living with disabilities, chronic or acute illnesses, chronic pain, and trauma.

In October 2023 I became a co-leader of my local scleroderma support group and found a wonderful community of peers who understand and uplift one another. I have learned and grown a lot in this role. This past year I joined the  Florida-Puerto Rico Chapter Advisory Board Committee as well as the Stepping Out Committee. In July 2024 I got to attend my second National Scleroderma Conference, held in Seattle, WA. I spent time with our chapter's new executive director, Lorraine Biaggi, as well as Desi James, chair of the FL-PR Chapter, and Monica Ramirez, leader of the BiLingual support group. My second time at the conference left me feeling inspired and empowered to continue growing our local support group.

Our local Jacksonville support group is very excited to participate in our 3rd Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma event. Last year we surpassed our goal and raised $4,450! I would love your help in meeting (or surpassing) this years goal of $6,000. While we are walking in Jacksonville, our event is a satellite of the Florida-Puerto Rico Chapter's large event in Coconut Creek, FL. The funds raised support research to cure this disease that so greatly affects our lives. 

Donating through this site is simple, fast and secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution and support me to 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.

"Join our Team" is a great option for anyone who plans to walk with us either in Jacksonville or wherever you live. This option gets you a T-shirt and allows you to raise donations from your own network.

Select "Donate Now" if you want to make a contribution but do not plan to participate in the walk.

If you don't have the funds to make a donation, please consider supporting us by sharing this fundraiser with your social media or email network. This is a rare disease and raising awareness in the community is crucial.

If you are a local business and would like to donate something for our raffle, please email me at sclerodermajax@gmail.com