Improve the Relationship Between Caregiver and Doctor

Scleroderma Foundation eLetter

eLetter #416

Greetings!

Register Today!

African-American Patient Education Day

On Saturday, Sept. 24, you're invited by the Scleroderma Foundation along with Virginia Steen, M.D., from Georgetown University Medical Center, and Laura K. Hummers, M.D., from Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, to the first African-American Scleroderma Patient Education Day. Learn about risk factors specific to African-Americans such as rapid disease progression, and severe lung and organ involvement.

This event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tremont Plaza Hotel, 222 Saint Paul Place, in Baltimore.

For more information or to register, visit www.scleroderma.org/africanamerican.

National Office - Closed on Monday, Sept. 5

Due to the Labor Day holiday, the National Office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5. We will reopen for normal business on Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!

Improve the Relationship Between Caregiver & Doctor

As a patient with a chronic illness, you want to ensure your caregiver and doctor have the best possible relationship. Today's Caregiver offers tips for doctors and caregivers from the other's perspective.

Overlapping Symptoms in Autoimmune Diseases

It's not unusual for several years to go by before overlapping autoimmune conditions are properly diagnosed. Symptoms of overlapping autoimmune disorders can be confusing when they stray from the established criteria required for a clear-cut diagnosis.

Learn more about the difficulties diagnosing autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma, lupus or Grave's Disease.

American Airlines Employees May Donate to Foundation

American Airlines has recently recognized the Scleroderma Foundation as one of the charities in its "American Giving" program. Employees may select to do a one-time donation or have a donation deducted each week from their paycheck that would go directly to the Foundation.

The "American Giving" program started 20 years ago and helps more than 3,000 non-profit organizations through employee contributions.

Learn more about the program and ask your family or friends to help the Scleroderma Foundation.

Special thanks to Darragh Heenan, an American Airlines' employee. She is the daughter of Matty Heenan, a support group leader from Tucson, Ariz. Darragh urged the airline to add the Foundation to its list of recognized charities.