Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago

Can anyone relate? You are not alone in your fight against scleroderma. There is a community of warriors standing behind you. Tomorrow, Saturday, July 20, we have three support group meetings designed to uplift and support you. Anyone is welcome regardless of your location!

Chicago Western Suburbs, 11am CST (Zoom)
Parents of Kids and Teens 11am CST (Zoom)
Madison, Wisconsin 9:30am CST (In-person)

These groups allow you to connect with others and gain strength from our community. To learn more and sign up go to www.stopscleroderma.org/support and fill out the sign-up sheet. We are stronger together!

Calling all Aurora walk participants! Make sure to register by THIS FRIDAY, JULY 19 to guarantee yourself a t-shirt at the 6th annual Aurora Walk to Cure Scleroderma! Show your support for scleroderma patients and their families as we walk together towards a cure. Gather your loved ones and join us at Waubonsie Lake park on August 4! Register now at www.stopscleroderma.org/aurora. See you there!

Hey Omaha friends! Join us tomorrow, July 17th at 6:30 pm CST for our next Omaha, Nebraska support group. This is a safe space for you to share your story, ask questions, and connect with your fellow Scleroderma Spartans. This meeting is open to all scleroderma patients and caregivers from any geographic region as the group meets over Zoom. To join in the conversation, head to www.stopscleroderma.org/support and sign up! You are not alone!

How can the food you eat help you manage scleroderma? Learn from an expert at our next “Get Moving with Scleroderma” support group meeting featuring special guest Bethany Doerfler, LDN a registered dietician from Northwestern Medicine. Discover effective tips and strategies to optimize your health, alleviate symptoms, and improve your quality of life. Join us TONIGHT at 5:00 PM CST over Zoom. To learn more and sign up, head to www.stopscleroderma.org/getmoving.

Hey Milwaukee Friends! Join us TONIGHT for our next support group meeting at 5 pm CST over Zoom. This is the place to ask questions and connect to a community that truly understands what you’re going through. This meeting is open to all scleroderma warriors and caregivers from any geographic region as it meets over Zoom. To join in the discussion, head to www.stopscleroderma.org/support and sign up! You are not alone!

Last chance to save $20 on tickets to the 16th annual Cooking Up a Cure! Purchase by Monday, July 15 to receive the early-bird discount and you'll experience some of the best cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails that Chicago has to offer! Get your taste buds ready, invite your foodie friends, and help bring us closer to a future free from scleroderma. Tickets and more info here: www.stopscleroderma.org/cooking-up-a-cure. A great night for a great cause!

This month for our “Get Moving with Scleroderma” support group meeting we're talking nutrition with special guest Bethany Doerfler, MS, LDN, a registered dietitian from Northwestern Medicine. She has years of experience working with scleroderma patients, offering valuable insights into the role of nutrition in managing scleroderma. She is the first dietitian to be fully integrated into a gastroenterology division for both research and patient care. Don’t miss this chance to receive insights from an expert in the field! These meetings are open to anyone from any geographic location as they meet monthly over Zoom. To join in the conversation, head to www.stopscleroderma.org/getmoving and fill out the signup form. See you there!

Are you attending a Walk to Cure Scleroderma in August? We invite you to join us for our next “How to Fundraise” webinar THIS MONDAY, to help you increase your impact on the cause. We'll show you how to use our online tools and discuss a few tips and tricks, whether you are brand new to fundraising or you simply want to increase your goals. All attendees get a FREE walk registration! Register now to join us for the July 15 session at 6pm CST. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uc-GhqTMsGd1Y0uPF261CbA1Gu167MLNI #/registration.

Exciting news from the Scleroderma Research Foundation! CONQUEST is a groundbreaking global clinical trial designed to accelerate the development of treatments for scleroderma. CONQUEST has begun enrolling patients across 150+ centers in 30+ countries with a current focus on evaluating treatments for SSc-ILD. Learn more about CONQUEST and how you can help develop better scleroderma treatments at www.srfcure.org/research/conquest/.

Hey Ohio! Don’t miss our next Scleroderma Support Group meeting Wednesday, July 17th, at 6 PM EST over Zoom. Whether you’ve been living with scleroderma for years or are newly diagnosed, this online meeting is a safe space to ask your burning questions, share your story, and find support from a community that understands what you’re going through. All are welcome, no matter where you are in your scleroderma journey. To join, visit www.stopscleroderma.org/support and sign up. Hope to see you there!

Take charge of your lung health by joining us for our next Scleroderma & the Lungs Support Group meeting tomorrow, July 9th, at 6:30 CST over Zoom! If you have interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pulmonary hypertension, this group can be a great way to connect with others who understand what you’re going through and ask questions. You’re not alone! Even if you’re just curious about potential lung issues related to scleroderma, anyone is welcome to join. To join this empowering session, head to www.stopscleroderma.org/lungs to learn more and sign up. Knowledge is power!

Join us TONIGHT July 3 at 6:00 CST over Zoom for our Downtown Chicago Support Group meeting! This meeting is open to all scleroderma patients and caregivers, no matter where they are on their journey. This is a safe space to connect with others who truly understand what you’re going through. To join the discussion, visit stopscleroderma.org/support and sign up. See you there!

Big News! The CONQUER registry has enrolled its 1,000th patient participant! Research is our best hope for finding a cure for scleroderma, and that's why we are a proud sponsor partner of CONQUER a first-of-its-kind nationwide registry launched by Scleroderma Research Foundation. Created through a collaborative effort among the largest scleroderma centers in the U.S., CONQUER's goal is to enroll thousands of patients from all backgrounds and ethnicities to help advance research and discovery for all forms of scleroderma. Learn more about CONQUER and how you can get involved at www.stopscleroderma.org/conquer.

Tickets for the 16th annual Cooking Up a Cure are on sale now! Save $20 on General Admission tix if you purchase by July 15. From exquisite dishes to carefully crafted cocktails, indulge in the best culinary experience Chicago has to offer. Get your taste buds ready, invite your foodie friends, and help bring us closer to a future free from scleroderma.
Tickets and more info here: www.stopscleroderma.org/cooking-up-a-cure

Raising awareness today for scleroderma at the office in honor of Scleroderma Awareness Month!

An incredible day in Highland Park, Illinois catching up with friends and supporters! Our 22nd annual Walk to Cure Scleroderma raised more than $100,000! We are SO grateful for the continued dedication of our community to fight for this cause. Thank you to everyone involved! Special thank you to Congressman Schneider for making an appearance and continuing to stand with us in raising awareness for scleroderma. More pics to come! Tag us in your own pics .

Kicking off our 13th ANNUAL Walk to Cure Scleroderma today in Highland, Indiana with this awesome crew! Thank you all for your continued support of this cause!

The 22nd Annual Highland Park Walk to Cure Scleroderma is THIS SUNDAY! We couldn't be more excited to see our community come together and walk for a fantastic cause. Every dollar raised goes toward helping patients and families who are battling scleroderma. Pre-registration ends on Thursday, so sign up now and save $5! Walk-ups are welcome on the day of the event. Register now at www.stopscleroderma.org/highlandpark. Let's make a difference together!

Today, for Scleroderma Awareness Month, we highlight the journey of Demeshia Montgomery, who has battled scleroderma for more than 20 years. Demi is an inspiration to the scleroderma community and is dedicated to helping others. She says, “I find hope every time I'm able to help someone else to enjoy their journey! To see that their voice matters and they can be a part of healing others. Hosting a support group and other activities allows me an opportunity to share what I have learned with others.” Hear more inspiring stories of resilience and strength at www.sclerodermatruth.org

We can't wait to see our Indiana community show up for the 13th Annual Highland Walk to Cure Scleroderma THIS SATURDAY! Enjoy a family-friendly day full of community, raffle prizes, refreshments, and more! Every dollar raised goes towards a great cause; supporting scleroderma patients. Pre-registration ends on Thursday, so sign up now and save $5! Walk-ups are welcome on the day of the event. A special thank you to our sponsors Albert's Diamond Jewelers and Steakhouse! Register now at www.stopscleroderma.org/highland. Let's make a difference together!

Caregivers, your story matters! Elizabeth Theisen, whose mother fought scleroderma, says “While suffering from scleroderma my mother was incredibly brave when we know she was in pain and unable to do some tasks she was used to doing. Fortunately, my mother found support from my father who loved her dearly and was an amazing caregiver!” She also states, “All of the scleroderma warriors I have met who have to deal with pain, trouble breathing, walking or other basic tasks never complain or say, why me? It always impresses me how strong they are every day.” Help share the stories of people like Elizabeth and spread awareness for Scleroderma Awareness Month! To read more, head to www.sclerodermatruth.org.

Hey Wisconsin friends! Join us TONIGHT for our joint Milwaukee and Madison Support Group meeting at 5 pm CST! This is a safe space to ask questions and connect with a community that truly understands what you’re going through. This meeting is open to all scleroderma warriors and caregivers from any geographic region as it meets over Zoom. To join in the discussion, head to www.stopscleroderma.org/support and sign up! Together, we are stronger!

Thank you, Madison, Wisconsin for always showing up in support of this cause! We had a blast with you at our 9th annual Walk to Cure Scleroderma last weekend. Your efforts and dedication truly make a difference. Next stop, Highland, Indiana and Highland Park, Illinois! StopScleroderma.org

Make sure to join us tomorrow, June 15 at 11 am for our next Chicago - Western Suburbs support group meeting! Support groups give you the opportunity to be your own advocate, ask questions and educate yourself. It's also a way to connect with others that truly understand what you are going through. This meeting is open to all scleroderma warriors regardless of location as it meets over Zoom. To join in the conversation, head to www.stopscleroderma.org/support and sign up!