June is Scleroderma Awareness Month

This post was sponsored by Scleroderma as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

I can remember the first time I heard the word “Scleroderma”. I knew “derma” had something to do with the skin and figured it was some kind of skin disease/disorder, but that was all. When my friend told me that day she had Scleroderma, and explained to me what she knew about it, because over thirty years ago there was very little known about Scleroderma, I realized it was more than a skin disorder.

I also realize that now, thirty some odd years later, many people still have either never heard of Scleroderma, or know very little about it.

I can tell you my friend who has lived with Scleroderma for 20 plus years now, knows a whole lot more about it. I know she would love it if we all knew more about it… because the more that is known and learned about Scleroderma, the better.

What is Scleroderma

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects women between the ages of 30 – 50. My friend was an exception to this rule, since she was in her early 20s when she was diagnosed with it. Unfortunately, there is no know cause or cure for it.

Symptoms of Scleroderma range from skin hardening (which my friend has) and joint pain, to lung scarring and digestive issues.

The above infographic explains Scleroderma in much more detail.

My friend felt very alone and isolated in her diagnosis. She not only never heard of this disease before, but knew no one who had it. I know how frustrating it was for her, especially before the internet as we know it today — with information more readily available, social media and forums to chat with other sufferers, for example.

Yet, there is still little awareness of Scleroderma.

June is Scleroderma Awareness Month and I would love it (and I know my friend would, too) if you could join me in taking a pledge to help increase the awareness of this autoimmune disease. It is so easy and only takes a couple of minutes to do.

The more the disease is talked about the better. We need more awareness, more research, and understanding of this disease to help those that do (and will in the future) suffer from it.

I’ve already taken the pledge… will you please join me and take the pledge and help spread the word in the Thunderclap promotion?

2 Comments

    1. Author

      I know! If I didn’t have a very dear friend with Scleroderma, I probably wouldn’t have ever heard of it either. Thank you, Elizabeth!

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