13th Annual "Stepping out to Cure Scleroderma" Walk

The Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago will hold its 13th annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma walk on Sunday, June 28, 2015 in honor of Scleroderma Awareness Month.

Participants can choose from a 1- or 3-mile walk beginning at the Highland Park Downtown Metra Parking lot (1800 St. John’s Ave. at Laurel). Registration will start at 7:30 AM and the walk will begin at 9 AM. The event will take place rain or shine. Following the walk there will be food, refreshments, music and activities for kids. All registered walkers receive a t-shirt.

Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma was started in conjunction with Scleroderma Awareness Month to raise awareness for this disease. Since the walk’s inception in 2002, the Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago has raised more than one million dollars for research to find a cure.

“We’re excited for our 13th annual walk and invite everyone to come out and enjoy the family fun we have planned, as well as raise money to support our mission and serve our patients” says Carol Goldman, Walk Chair and Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago Board Member.

Scleroderma is a chronic, often progressive, autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own body. The disease, which literally means “hard skin” can cause thickening and tightening of the skin. In many cases it causes serious damage to internal organs including the heart, lungs, kidneys, esophagus and gastrointestinal tract. These organs may slowly harden until they become ineffective. Some medicines and treatments can help with certain symptoms, but there is still no cure for scleroderma and it can be fatal. The disease affects three to four times as many women as men. For more information visit www.scleroderma.org.

Generous sponsors for the 13th annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma include Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., Bayer, Ameriprise Financial, Antons Fruit Ranch, Audi Exchange, Carol’s Cookies, Done Deal Productions, Larry Miller Photography, Move & Groove Music, Nu Finish, Once Upon a Bagel, Penny’s from Heaven, Quantum, Signs Now Highland Park, Starbucks Coffee, Sunset Foods and Whole Foods.

To register online visit www.scleroderma.org/steppingouthp. For more information or to request a brochure call the Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago at 312-660-1131 or email GCchapter@scleroderma.org.

About The Scleroderma Foundation

The Scleroderma Foundation is a 501(c)3 and is a leading non-profit supporter of scleroderma research in the United States, allotting more than $1 million annually to find the cause of and cure for scleroderma. To promote education of the disease, the foundation facilitates health and professional seminars, produces and distributes literature and conducts publicity campaigns. The Foundation consists of 22 chapters and 173 support networks throughout the U.S. with the goal of supporting scleroderma patients and their families.