Scleroderma is a chronic, autoimmune connective tissue disease, which means that it is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. The normal role of the immune system is to provide protection from invaders such as viruses. In autoimmune disorders, this ability to distinguish foreign from self is compromised. As immune cells attack the body’s own tissue, inflammation and damage result. Scleroderma (the name means “hard skin”) can vary a great deal in terms of severity. For some it is a mild condition; for others it can be life threatening. Although there are medications to slow down the disease progression and help with symptoms, there is as yet no cure for scleroderma.

There are basic forms of scleroderma: systemic (systemic sclerosis) that usually affects the internal organs or internal systems of the body as well as the skin, and localized that affects a local area of skin either in patches (morphea) or in a line down an arm or leg (linear scleroderma), or as a line down the forehead (scleroderma en coup de sabre). It is very unusual for localized scleroderma to develop into the systemic form.

The Foundation’s mission is three-fold:

Support: To help patients and their families cope with scleroderma through mutual support programs, peer counseling, physician referrals, and educational information.

Education: To promote public awareness and education through patient and health professional seminars, literature, and publicity campaigns.

Research: To stimulate and support research to improve treatment and ultimately find the cause of and cure for Scleroderma.

All of your donations go directly to support the mission of the Scleroderma Foundation Michigan Chapter and are 100 percent tax deductible.

The Scleroderma Foundation has been classified as a four star charity by the Charity Navigator. This rating means that we exceed industry standards and outperform most charities in our Cause. This is something we are extremely proud of and something you can depend of when you choose to donate to us.