The Scleroderma Foundation is a national non-profit organization established in 1998 that serves the needs of people with scleroderma with a mission of support, education and research.  The Oregon Chapter is fully volunteer-based, and provides much-needed support groups, hosts educational events, and holds fundraisers to raise money for research.

Thai Bloom! is proud to support the 13th annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Event, taking place on July 14th, 2018, in Happy Valley, Oregon.  This fun, family-friendly benefit walk is the Oregon Chapter’s largest event of the year.  It features a 1.5 mile walk, lunch, kids’ activities, t-shirts, awards, a raffle and silent auction, and more!

About

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 300,000 people in the United States, yet most people have never heard of it!  The word “scleroderma” comes from the Greek for “hard skin” but this disease is much more than hard skin. The effects can range from mild to disabling or, sadly, life-threatening.

Scleroderma is often difficult for doctors to diagnose early because many initial symptoms are common ailments in the general public. Stiff or puffy fingers, tightness of the facial skin, cold fingers and toes and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are all very common early symptoms. However, this disease can cause damage to the lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, heart, blood vessels, and more. Because so many organs can be affected in different ways, each scleroderma patient is unique, which often makes diagnosis a lengthy and difficult process.