Scleroderma is a rare disease that affects connective tissue and the vascular system. Generally classified as an autoimmune rheumatic disease, an overproduction of collagen (fibrosis) hardens tissue and damages organs. Commonly affecting the skin (called localized), scleroderma also affects internal organs (systemic sclerosis) and can be life-threatening. No one knows what causes the disease, alth
ough there are many clues including genetic predisposition. There is no cure and no drugs that halt the progression of the disease or reverse it. The fibrosis at the center of scleroderma makes it prototypic for all other fibrotic diseases. WHO IS THE NATIONAL SCLERODERMA FOUNDATION? The National Scleroderma Foundation’s threefold mission provides emotional support and disease education while funding innovative research to discover the cause, understand the mechanisms and overcome scleroderma forever. With historical roots from the 1970s and a nation-wide network of chapters, the Foundation’s signature National Scleroderma Conference provides access to expert information and is the centerpiece of the community. The Foundation’s Medical & Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of world-renowned scleroderma experts who guide the organization’s health-related policies. Its Peer-Review Research Program emphasizes scientific merit, and its novel Patients as Partners program promotes collaboration between pharmaceutical and biotech entities and people living with scleroderma in the design of clinical trials. If you recently were diagnosed with scleroderma, you may want to check out our free brochure downloads or visit our newly diagnosed section for more information. WHAT IS THE TEXOMA CHAPTER? The National Scleroderma Foundation Texoma Chapter is one of 13 chapters of the National Scleroderma Foundation. We provide support and education to Texas and Oklahoma. Our most recent Scleroderma Education Day Webinar was in February 2021. A link to the YouTube videos of all the physician and licensed professionals is here >>
https://bit.ly/TBC2021PEW
For more information about support groups click here >>
https://scleroderma.org/scleroderma-support-groups/
To donate click here >> http://bit.ly/DonatetoSFTBC
