"Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" Walk-A-Thon

 On Sunday, June 6, the Scleroderma Foundation/ Tri-State Chapter will participate in the 2nd Annual "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" Walk-A-Thon. The Tri-State Chapter will host six walk sites in the NY-NJ-CT area with one right here in Binghamton, NY at Otsiningo Park beginning with registration at 9:00 a.m.  There will be more than  30 walks nationwide during the month of June, which is National Scleroderma Awareness Month. We hope that this nationwide event will create awareness and raise funds for this disease that afflicts more than 300,000 sufferers in the United States alone. 

 The cause of Scleroderma is unknown and the course of the disease is unpredictable. It is characterized by swelling of the hands and feet, skin tightness and joint stiffness, crushing fatigue, and extreme sensitivity to cold. As the skin hardens, the disease may begin to affect internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs and heart. Its symptoms can range from mild to life threatening.

 The Scleroderma Foundation/Tri-State Chapter is a 501(c) three non-profit organization serving New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Tri-State's three-fold mission is to promote the welfare of individuals and families affected by Scleroderma, increase public awareness, and support Scleroderma research.

 For more information on Scleroderma and the Walk-A-Thon, contact the Tri-State Chapter office, 62 Front Street in Binghamton by calling 723-2239 or 800-867-885. You can also visit their Web site at  www.scleroderma.org/ steppingout/tristate.htm.