Tenant Spotlight: Scleroderma Society of Ontario and Scleroderma Canada
The Scleroderma Society of Ontario and the Scleroderma Society of Canada have been part of the Core Urban family in Empire Times for a number of years and we feel privileged to have them. June is Scleroderma Awareness Month and, as such, we wanted to shine our tenant spotlight on them and introduce you to the wonderful work this team is doing.
1) What is Scleroderma?
Scleroderma – Literally, the term scleroderma means “hard skin”. It is a progressive disease of the vascular and immune systems and a severe connective tissue disorder. In scleroderma, some unknown factor triggers the over-production of collagen (body protein), causing thickening, hardening and scarring of the skin and other organs. This often affects the small blood vessels that carry blood to many parts of the body.
2) Why is June an important month for the Scleroderma Society of Ontario and Scleroderma Canada?
June is Scleroderma Awareness Month and June 29th is International Scleroderma Day. Paul Klee, Swiss Artist passed away from scleroderma on June 29th, 1940. The International Patient Associations, chose to commemorate this outstanding artist, his battle with scleroderma and the challenges he must have faced with so little available to him at that time. Scleroderma has no cure and Research is our only hope.
3) What are some ways people can get involved or support the work your team is doing?
Join our North American Campaign “Hard Word, Harder Disease” by visiting www.SclerodermaAware.org
Take the pledge and share “what is scleroderma” with a friend, colleague or family members. The more people who become aware of this most common autoimmune disease in Canada, the better opportunity we will have to build awareness, educate the public and our medical professionals in hopes of early diagnosis and what we all wish for…finding a cure.
On the local level, please come out and join our 17th Annual Walk or Run in the Park for Scleroderma event on June 24th at Battlefield House Museum & Park. Walk with our supporters and patients, help us fundraise for the cause and continue building awareness.
For all of our walk locations and how you might get involved, please visit www.sclerodermawalkrun.ca
Take a tour through their offices: