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Thank you for subscribing to the weekly Scleroderma Foundation eLetter. We appreciate your interest in and support of the Foundation.
Do you have or know of a young individual who makes a difference through volunteerism and/or community service? Let them know about the "Kohl's Kids Who CareŽ Scholarship Program." The deadline to enter is March 15, so don't delay! Learn more. |
| The Scleroderma Foundation Is Excited to Announce That Dr. Stephen Katz Is the Closing Keynote Speaker at the National Conference |
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 Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., will be the closing keynote speaker at our National Conference. Dr. Katz has been Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases since August 1995 and is also a Senior Investigator in the Dermatology Branch of the National Cancer Institute. He will be speaking on "Updates in Scleroderma Research."
Dr. Katz has focused his studies on immunology and the skin. His research has demonstrated that skin is an important component of the immune system both in its normal function and as a target in immunologically-mediated disease. In addition to studying Langerhans cells and epidermally-derived cytokines, Dr. Katz and his colleagues have added considerable new knowledge about inherited and acquired blistering skin diseases. Learn more about the National Conference and register today! |
| "Why I Am Attending the Conference" |
 "The National Conference has a three-fold purpose for me. First, to keep myself educated about the disease I have; second, to enjoy myself in the experience; and third I get to see old friends. They are the reason I learned to live with scleroderma!" -- Mary Blades, Missouri Chapter President |
| Fighting the Fires of Systemic Sclerosis |
| The patient is probably 30-40 years old, and four times more likely to be female than male. Symptoms might begin with Raynaud's syndrome, fatigue, or oesophageal reflux. Within months, these complaints might be followed by thickening of the skin of the arms, legs, and trunk, and within 3 years by congestive heart failure, interstitial lung disease, or renal crisis. The patient would have systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and there would be no cure.
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| Home Care Safety for the Caregiver |
 Improving support and safety throughout the home:
- Have smoke detectors installed near kitchen and bedrooms
- Have safety rails in showers and tubs
- Install handrails up stairs and in bathrooms
- Use non-slip flooring in kitchens and bathrooms
- Remove any loose rugs
- Move furniture around to create less confusion
- Remove any dangling telephone cords
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| Collagen Vascular Disease |
 Connective tissue is a major tissue in our body and is responsible for forming the structure of the body parts. It can be considered as a tissue that forms the framework or matrix of the body. It is made up of two proteins, collagen and elastin. Collagen is a glue like protein and is mainly concerned with tautness of the skin. Elastin is responsible for stretching and bouncing back of ligaments as well as skin. Certain immune disorders affect the working of connective tissue and damage collagen and elastin. Collagen vascular disease is an umbrella term that covers a range of connective tissue disease. In a way, collagen vascular disease is a misnomer, as this disease also affects structures other than vascular structures and molecules other than collagen. Learn more. |
| Living the Celiac Life: Stores Increasingly Offer Products That Ease the Burden on Those With an Intolerance of Gluten |
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| John David Mercer, Staff Photographer, Al.com |
Grocery shopping is getting a lot easier for me and for anyone who shops for someone with celiac disease. We're suddenly finding specialty products all over the shelves, and not just in health food stores.
People who have celiac disease cannot consume anything containing wheat, barley, rye and some types of oats. As you can imagine, that's a tall order to cope with at first. Just about any processed food you can think of has at least one of these fillers in it. Learn more. | |
| Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis and American Thoracic Society Continue Commitment to Pulmonary Fibrosis Research |
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CPF Commits to ATS to Fund Four New 2-Year Grants Totaling $400,000
The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the world's leading professional organization for pulmonary, critical care and sleep physicians, today announced that the CPF will again partner with the ATS to fund Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) research. The CPF and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) will each commit $200,000 to co-fund four two-year research grants and the ATS will provide management of the grants. Learn more. |
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