Scleroderma Foundation eLetter
eLetter #392
Scleroderma Foundation Logo

Greetings!  

Are You Social?
Find the Scleroderma Foundation Online! 

  

A few weeks ago, the Scleroderma Foundation's Facebook Page welcomed its 5,000th follower, or "like." Have you joined our Facebook community yet? If not, you're missing out on chats with others Foundation members, updates on this year's National Patient Education Conference and more.

But Facebook isn't all that the Foundation is up to online. You can follow us on Twitter (@scleroderma) for quick updates straight to your phone, mobile device or computer, watch videos on YouTube or view photos from events on Flickr.

Also, remember to join the discussion board at Inspire. Meet other scleroderma patients and their family and friends to discuss treatments, personal stories and more in a supportive, online environment. 

We hope to see you on the Web!

FDA Approves New Lupus Drug 

MedPage Today LogoThe FDA has approved belimumab (Benlysta®) for reducing disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), making it the first new lupus drug in more than 50 years.

Read more about this news from MedPageToday.com.

What Can I Do About My Celiac Disease?

CNN logoCeliac disease affects approximately 1 percent of the population and is often undiagnosed until later in life.

 

Gluten-free diets are essential for people who have celiac disease, a lifelong genetic condition in which the body does not tolerate the protein in wheat, rye and barley. When gluten-containing foods or products are consumed in those with the disease, the intestines are damaged, leading to inability to properly absorb vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

 

Read more about celiac disease from CNN Health

Hop On The Angel Bus 

Angel Bus logoAngel Bus is a non-profit that provides compassionate, non-emergency long-distance ground transportation to patients in need. Angel Bus, which utilizes motor coaches and their volunteer drivers as well as commercial buses, was founded in May 2000.   

 

To qualify for an Angel Bus passengers must:

1. Have financial need for assistance.
2. Be medically cleared to travel.
3. Be ambulatory and able to get in and out of motor coach with little or no assistance.
4. Not require medical care en route.
5. Not have a communicable disease.
6. If oxygen is required, it must be provided by the patient and be in a Department of Transportation pressure test-approved bottle.

 

Learn more about Angel Bus today!


Sjögrens and Becoming Pregnant

Arthritis Today LogoSjögrens occasionally presents its own set of problems during pregnancy. Experts advise that women with Sjögren's syndrome who are planning to get pregnant as well as those who have suffered miscarriages be tested for antibodies including antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies and anti-SS-A.

 

Find out more about what you should know before becoming pregnant from Arthritis Today.  

7 Tips for Male Caregivers

CareGivers LogoMen account for almost 40 percent of the caregiver population. In order for male caregivers to properly care for their loved ones, they must remember to care for themselves. Here are seven emotional and physical tips for male caregivers:

  1. Participate in a support group.

  2. Vary the caregiving responsibilities amongst family members or friends.

  3. Exercise on the average of three times per week and maintain a healthy diet. 

Check out the entire list from Today's Caregiver.
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