Welcome to Cathy & Don's Personal Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Page!
Donating through this site is simple, fast and secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution and support us to help raise funds for scleroderma patients. To make a donation, click the "Donate Now" button that appears to the right, then just follow the instructions.
Dear Family and friends, this is our 8th year of fundraising for the National Scleroderma Foundation. Most of you are aware that Don has been living with this rare disease for over 17 years now. He continues to fight the everyday discomforts and the declining health that comes with having systemic scleroderma.
Our family supports the National Scleroderma Foundation (NSF) in many ways by volunteering for the New England Chapter. Don was the president of the New England Chapter for 8 years and Don and I have been support group leaders for the past 7 years. Our daughter Andrea Mahoney has been on the board of the New England Chapter for several years and now on an advisory committee. Our daughter Maria Bartoszewicki and her family are the passionate founders of the STROLL FOR SCLERODERMA. The rest of our family and extended family support and volunteer for this event every year.
WHY DO WE SUPPORT THE NATIONAL SCLERODERMA FOUNDATION?
- EDUCATION AND AWARENESS : The Foundation supports people living with scleroderma by providing educational seminars with medical professionals from around the nation.They provide resources for learning how to live with this disease. Newly diagnosed people are scared and feel alone. Don and I were able to find reliable sources through the website with valuable information. NSF also provides educational opportunities for medical professionals to further understand and diagnose scleroderma. There is a network of scleroderma specialists and hospitals that have excellence in care for people with scleroderma. NSF makes this possible.
- SUPPORT: NSF provides a network of trained leaders for support groups where people meet, see and talk with others like themselves. Over 300,000 people in the US alone have scleroderma, a rare disease by comparison.There is a wide range of symptoms and progression rates that only people with scleroderma understand. Support groups provide compassion and understanding.
- RESEARCH : NSF also fights on Capitol Hill for all fibrotic diseases by sending staff and patients every year to make sure enough money is federally funded for research. Huge advances in research have been made in recent years. Each year NSF gives $1.5 million in grants to researchers in fields related to scleroderma. They also investigate clinical studies to make them available and increase awareness of them so that patients can participate. Don has participated in many clinical studies. New drugs and diagnostic tools come out of theses studies yearly.
WHERE DOES THIS MONEY COME FROM? PEOPLE LIKE YOU!
THANK YOU for all that you do. No matter if it is a financial gift, spreading awareness, or volunteering, it is all important!
If you would like to join us and help raise funds, please click on “Join My Team” and follow the directions. Our team is called "Team Don & Cathy "
Thank You, Sincerely,
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