Tackling an Ironman: Racing to Raise Awareness for Rare Disease

LAKE STEVENS, Wash., Aug. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ryan Roy, of Bellingham, Wash., only has been doing triathlons for two years. In 2010, he completed three races at sprint and Olympic distances. For 2011, in addition to competing in sprint and Olympic triathlons, and his first half marathon in Seattle, Ryan will race Sunday in his first Ironman competition while battling for a cause that means a lot to him and his family.

On Sunday, Aug. 14, Ryan will battle the Ironman 70.3 in Lake Stevens, Wash. This half-Ironman race challenges your mind and body through an intense course that includes a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run. Ryan will dedicate the race in memory of his father-in-law, Larry Tuor, who died in January 2010 from scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease that causes an overproduction of collagen.

"Last year, our family lost a really big man," said Ryan. "Larry fought this really rare disease for a couple of years. It was really hard for him and he sacrificed a lot during his fight. Our whole family lost something when he passed."

Ryan wants to raise at least $2,000 for the Scleroderma Foundation, a national non-profit organization that works to support patients, provide education and resources and help find the cause of and cure of scleroderma. For every person who donates $50 or more, the Roy family will send you a dozen eggs from their farm. If you live more than 100 miles away from their western Washington home, Ryan will personally bake you cookies made from the family's eggs and send them to you in thanks for your donation and support of scleroderma research and awareness.

About 300,000 people in the U.S. have scleroderma, roughly the same amount that has multiple sclerosis. However, the cause of the disease is unknown and there is no known cure. The Scleroderma Foundation operates 23 chapters and 145 support groups across the country to help educate people about the debilitating disease that can attack a person's skin and internal organs.

"Life is about challenging yourself to grow," he said. "It's going to be hard as I fight back the tears but this race is in memory of Larry, and his strength and determination."

You can donate to Ryan's race efforts through Firstgiving at www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/ryanroy/sclerodermastriders.

About Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a chronic, often progressive, autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own body.

Scleroderma, which literally 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. As scarring, or sclerosis, of these organs and organ systems progress, they work less effectively, and can lead to organ failure and death.

Some medications and treatments can help with certain symptoms, but there is still no cure for scleroderma, which affects about 300,000 nationwide. (By way of comparison, about the same numbers of people are affected by multiple sclerosis.)

About the Scleroderma Foundation
The Danvers, Mass. based Scleroderma Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving the interests of people with scleroderma. It has a network of 23 chapters and 145 support groups nationwide carry out its threefold mission of support, education and research. The Scleroderma Foundation funds an average of $1 million in new grants each year to find the cause and cure for scleroderma.

More information about the Scleroderma Foundation can be found at www.scleroderma.org or by calling (800) 722-HOPE (4673).

SOURCE Scleroderma Foundation