World Scleroderma Day 2018
Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that stiffens the skin, turning simple daily activities into real challenges. It can affect all organs in addition to the skin, and while treatments exist, there is currently no cure. More research is urgently needed. Help us to keep smiling by donating to research!
Protect yourself to protect us!
June 29th is World Scleroderma Day.
Scleroderma is a rare chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease that affects the body by hardening connective tissue. Skin and internal organs can be damaged by this illness. It can be life threatening and currently there is no cure. However, successful treatments are available for individual organs.
As we face the challenge of Covid-19, we need you to protect yourself to protect us because Scleroderma patients, particularly those with lung involvement and those on immunosuppressant medication have reduced immunity. This makes us vulnerable to having more severe symptoms if we contract the virus.
If you have been diagnosed with Scleroderma, we want to let you know that you are not alone. There are 28 associations in 22 countries united in the FESCA network and we are here to support you.
Join our community. You are not alone.
Find out more and help us spread the word.
Again as last years we invite you to share your smiles using the hashtag #sclerosmile. We also invite you to help us with spreading the campaign by using #protectyourselftoprotectus
The Federation of European Scleroderma Associations (FESCA aisbl.) is an umbrella support and advocacy organisation composed of the national scleroderma associations of 22 European countries.
DOWNLOAD
Download posters and handouts for distribution:
World Scleroderma Day 2020 poster
What is Scleroderma?
Scleroderma is a chronic disease characterized by excessive deposits of collagen in the skin or other organs. The localized type of the disease, while disabling, tends not to be fatal.
Diffuse scleroderma or systemic sclerosis, the generalized type of the disease, can be fatal as a result of heart, kidney, lung or intestinal damage.