Scleroderma Awareness Month proclaimed in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mayor Bob Filner proclaims June is Scleroderma Awareness Month in San Diego.  Local leadership is working with the Scleroderma Foundation, Greater San Diego Chapter, to bring awareness and attention to this often debilitating disease with no known cure.  The chapter hopes to raise funds for research, awareness, and education about the disease during its annual Scleroderma 5K Walk and Family Fun Day held at Shelter Island on June 23rd.

All are welcome at the Walk and Family Fun Day on June 23rd.  Children will be entertained by crafts, clowns, music, and inflatable jumps and slides.  Participants can walk/run a 1K or 5K non­-competitive route.  Patients may walk or just enjoy the friendly and sociable atmosphere.  All participants are helping fund the work done by the Scleroderma Foundation in an effort to find effective treatments for those with the disease. This year's platinum and gold sponsors include John Tishler of Sheppard Mullin and Bill Martin of Martin Photomask, respectively.

Escondido resident Cyndy Martin was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2010.  She had been running half-marathons but was no longer able due to her aggressive scleroderma.  Through the San Diego chapter, Cyndy learned about various treatment options and enrolled in an adult stem cell transplant clinical trial.  This treatment improved Cyndy's inflammation and lung function enough that she is able to run again.  Cyndy participated in her first 5K run four months after her treatment, and  a second 5K two weeks later.  The chapter looks forward to Cyndy leading the way in the 5K at this year's walk!

About Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a chronic, often progressive, disease in which the immune system attacks its own body.  Scleroderma literally means "hard skin." It 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. As scarring, or sclerosis, of these organs and organ systems progresses, they work less effectively, and can lead to organ failure and death.  Some medications and treatments can help with certain symptoms, but there is no cure for scleroderma. The disease affects over 300,000 people across the U.S.A.

About the Scleroderma Foundation
The San Diego Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation supports the National Foundation's mission of Support, Education and Research.  The chapter has Support Group Meetings on the first Saturday of every month and Chapter Meetings throughout the year. Further, the chapter hosts an annual Linda Lee Wells Education Day, as well as the Scleroderma Walk & Family Fun Day fundraiser. The chapter can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sclerosd, Twitter at @sclerosd, or phone at (619) 655-4342.

SOURCE Scleroderma Foundation, Greater San Diego Chapter