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Scleroderma is a chronic, often progressive, autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks itself. The disease, which literally translated means "hard skin," can cause a thickening and tightening of the skin. In some cases it causes serious damage to internal organs including the lungs, heart, kidneys, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract.

Some medicines and treatments can help with certain symptoms, but there is still no cure for scleroderma, which affects about 300,000 nationwide (more than breast cancer).  Although 80% of scleroderma patients are women, more men are being diagnosed each year with this debilitating disease.  

Scleroderma is not contagious, it is not infectious, it is not cancerous or malignant.

What causes scleroderma?

The exact causes of scleroderma are still unknown, but scientists and medical investigators in a wide variety of fields are working diligently to make those determinations. It is known that scleroderma involves overproduction of collagen causing the skin to become thick and rigid.

How serious is scleroderma?

Any chronic disease can be serious. The symptoms of scleroderma vary greatly from individual to individual, and the effects of scleroderma can range from very mild to life-threatening. The seriousness depends on what parts of the body are affected and the extent to which they are affected. A mild case can become more serious if not properly treated. Prompt and proper diagnosis and treatment by qualified physicians may minimize the symptoms of scleroderma and lessen the chance for irreversible damage.

My Story

I was diagnosed with systemic scleroderma in December of 2006, although I exhibited some symptoms of the disease for a couple of years prior to that.  Unfortunately, many scleroderma patients go undiagnosed for years, as was my case but, fortunately for me, a change in my primary care physician yielded the diagnosis after only two visits.

During a business trip to Chicago in late December of 2006, I received an emergency call from my rheumatologist to go to the nearest ER for a blood transfusion.  This was necessitated by the loss of blood through my stomach lining due to "watermelon stomach," which can be a condition of scleroderma.  I spent the night in the ER at Northwestern University and received three units of blood.

I returned home the following day and received approximately 30 transfusions during the next seven months to counteract the anemia caused by the blood loss.  Many friends and supporters in Plano ISD and in our community donated more than 1000 units of blood dedicated to my need.  For this, I am eternally grateful.  As a result of their efforts and the services of a wonderful team of doctors, I have been transfusion-free since July 2007.

Unfortunately, I have been diagnosed with mild to moderate PAH (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) and am currently being treated for that condition.  Hopefully the medication will expand the blood vessels between the right side of the heart and the lungs to reduce the pressure and relieve the stress on my heart. 

I continue my interests in golfing and motorcycling and am optimistic that my condition will improve so that I may resume those and other activities that I enjoy. 

Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated, and your contribution to the Scleroderma Foundation DFW Walk will benefit not only me but also many others for years to come.   

What's Going On Now

I am excited to announce that our first walk last year far exceeded our goals and we hope to repeat that success this year.  Our second Texas Bluebonnet Chapter "Stepping Out To Cure Scleroderma" walk will be located inside the Collin Creek Mall on Saturday, June 27th. The walk begins with registration at 8:30 am and concludes by 10:00 am.  Please join us at the walk to support our patients, raise pledges, and personally meet our board of directors.  If you are unable to attend the walk, please consider donating to the Scleroderma Foundation through this website or the address below.

Many heartfelt thanks for your prayers and support.

Larry.

Thanks for the following supporters for their contributions made offline:

Linda Stokes, Mary Tucker, Don and Jean Jenkins, David and Mary Long, Marian Griggs, Jack and Martha Brown, and two other donors who made contributions online and wish to remain anonymous

Remember, as we raise funds we also raise AWARENESS.

           If you prefer to donate by check please mail and make payable to:

                                                     SF-TBC
                                                 PO Box 1836
                                               Allen, TX. 75013

                  (please reference Tucker-DFW in the note section)