Hi friends and family!

It's that time of year again when I ask for your friendship and support on behalf of scleroderma patients like myself.  Our upcoming 7th Annual Scleroderma Walk will be on Sunday, Sept. 27th, at Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento, California. 

I'm happy to say that last year's walk was a success!  With your help, I was able to reach and actually exceed my fundraising target of $5000.  I was truly so proud to have had my friends and family's support and generosity, that I was able to raise $6,085.78!  Thank you so much again to each and everyone of you!

Many of you also came to our walk day.  My family and I, especially my daughter Hannah was so touched to have the support of her Girl Scout Troop #1958 as they helped serve refreshments to our walkers.  The super cute 2nd Gr. girls also helped kick off the walk by doing the countdown to start the walk.  The day turned out really fun for the kids and adults as well.  So I'm hoping more of you can join us in this fun family event again this year.

As most of you already know, I have had linear morphea scleroderma since I was 9, that's counting 26 years now.  The disease has severly affected my right side of the body, including the growth retardation of the entire leg and bones and the severe atrophy on the skin, tissues & muscles.  This type of scleroderma is usually seen in children, which is why this is even more dear to my heart, since I am now a mother myself of very young kids.  I am very fortunate though that as of right now my disease is in remission.  Which is why I would like to give back and do as much as I am able to do for those that are afflicted with this devastating and debilitating disease.  I am also the current Scleroderma Sacramento Support Group Leader.

One of the biggest challenges I continue to have regarding my battle with scleroderma is the mental and emotional damage that the scars have left.  You may see me now more often in shorts and skirts, but this progress has surely been a slow one.  It may sound vain, but to have had a disease from a very young age wherein back then it was easier to just hide it than to explain the disease is really a big transition.  Nevertheless, I am proud to say that I have been blessed with a loving family, especially my husband who is always there for me and who has been my constant supporter for over 20 years now.  And my kids, who continue to inspire me to be a better person and a good role model for them.

When I was a child, I have always thought that having scleroderma will prevent me from having friends.  As I share my disease to more and more people, it seems like I gain more and more friends than ever before.  I realize now that true friends will love you and accept you no matter what you are or what you have.  I truly am very grateful to all of you who have loved me unconditionally for what I am and for what I have (scleroderma).  I am forever thankful for all the love, kindness, support and care you have given me throughout the years.

With all my heart, I thank you again for giving me and the other scleroderma patients hope and a big thank you for supporting my fundraising efforts all these years.  I am hopeful that you are able to support me again this year.  Also please feel free to share this link to your friends and family, as this will help us promote awareness about scleroderma.  As Mother Teresa said, "In this life we cannot do great things.  We can only do small things with great love."

God bless you and your family!

Sincerely yours,

Theresa De Vega Parulan