We are so very excited to have a Walk in
Kansas City and a Walk/Run in St Louis this year.
Scleroderma Kansas City Stepping Out for a Cure
Kansas City Registration fee is $25.00 per person and $50.00 for
up to a family of 4 before June 1, after June 1 everyone pays
$30.00. Walk date is Sunday, June 26 at Macken Park,
North Kansas City, MO.
St. Louis Registration fee is $25.00 per person. Walk/Run date is
Saturday, September 17, 2011, Creve Coeur Park, St. Louis, MO.
Scleroderma is the 3rd most common autoimmune disease ranking only behind Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, and, despite much less publicity, ahead of MS. It is chronic, progressive and centers on the patient’s body’s immune system attacking itself by over-producing collagen and causing hardening of tissues. Scleroderma, which literally means “hard skin”, can be visible - such as thickening / tightening of skin, or invisible - such as serious organ damage of the lungs, heart, kidneys, esophagus and GI tract. Scleroderma is often difficult to diagnose because it mimics other diseases and is not easily categorized because of its complexity and varied affects on people. The disease occurs more often in women than in men but can and does affect all ages and races.
Of the 300,000 people afflicted with Scleroderma in the US, it is believed that at least 14,000 of them call Missouri home. Many of these will likely know their diagnosis this year, this week, this day.
“The Scleroderma Jessica Reif Stepping Out for a Cure” is joined this year with the Kansas City Stepping Out for a Cure and a Golf Tournament also in Kansas City. Thanks to all of our friends, family, and supporters, each year since the beginning of the Walk/Runs the Scleroderma Foundation Missouri Chapter has been able to contribute thousands of dollars to research grants awarded to top doctors for Scleroderma Research. Again this year the Missouri Chapter will host a statewide patient education program. The Scleroderma billboard (on HW70 between St. Louis and Columbia) still stands, to further advance our awareness programs.
Scleroderma is a nuisance for some patients but for others, it is a life-threatening disease. Thank you for being a part of our lives and our futures!