2009 Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma 3K/5K Walk Rocky Mountain Chapter

Walk wrap-up and photos

2008 Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma 3K/5K Walk Rocky Mountain Chapter

On Saturday, June 7, 2008, the Scleroderma Foundation-Rocky Mountain Chapter held its 4th Annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma 3K/5K Walk.   The morning started out a little chilly but the sun soon warmed it up for walkers to enjoy the reservoir and surrounding beauty as they followed the walk path through Cherry Creek State Park.

We only had about 140 walkers this year but still raised almost $8,000!

Thanks to our generous sponsors we again awarded prizes to the top three individual and team pledge raisers.  This is where most of the grassroots donations come from for our Walk and we are grateful to those who work so hard to raise these funds:

Top Individual Pledge Raisers:
1st Place – Charles Littler - $1,950.00
2nd Place – Cheryl Elmore - $1,450.00
3rd Place – Shawna Wrinkle - $655.00

Top Team Pledge Raisers:
1st Place – Charly’s Bunch (Charles Littler) - $1,950.00
2nd Place - Cheryl's Footsloggers (Cheryl Elmore) - $1,500.00
3rd Place – JLM Memorial (Rita Miller) - $250.00

Charly’s Bunch was a new team this year with 11 walkers.  Another new team, Team June Bryant/East Alameda Church, had 25 walkers.

Also thanks to our sponsors, we again had a raffle this year that raised over $100.00 in ticket sales.  Our most coveted raffle item was a basketball autographed by each of the Denver Nuggets!

This event is dependent upon many volunteers who help not only at the Walk but also throughout the year with all the planning.  Without these volunteers, there would be no Walks.  The Rocky Mountain Chapter is sincerely thankful to those who give their time each year to make this annual event happen.

Photo album

Support Group and Board News

The Support Group meeting on March 1, 2008, welcomed several new members who came to get acquainted.  We welcome all newcomers and hope they will attend regularly.  We all need an understanding place to share information and experiences with patients, family and friends.

Actelion Pharmaceuticals has provided a Community Advocate Nurse, Marina Marcroft, R.N. who will be attending our Support meetings.  Marina was helpful with questions which came up about various issues, and we look forward to her continued participation.

The Board meeting was held following the Support meeting.  Among the topics discussed was the need to elect a new Executive Board and Committee Chairpersons.  The Chapter is looking into several options to fill these positions.  It was agreed that even though these positions are voluntary, we’re looking for people who will be able to fulfill the commitment and responsibility these positions entail.

If you are willing and able to help or want more details about the responsibilities, or know someone who can volunteer to help, please let us know by calling the Chapter phone, 303-806-6686.  Leave a message and someone will return your call promptly.   Or email us at cochapter@scleroderma.org.

Scleroderma Awareness Benefit

On March 11, 2008, the Denver Post ran a front-page article, written by Colleen O’Conner, about the Denver “indie” music scene.  Entitled “Banding together”, it tells how the local live-music rock bars, clubs and performers have come together, enlivening the once fractured underground music industry but also bringing together quality artists who support each other in many ways.

John Baxter, a music promoter who has scleroderma, has been pivotal in this resurgence.  He and his compatriots have seen a need and are filling it, not only with good punk, rock, experimental, hip-hop, jam, bluegrass and garage-blues music, but also with compassion and shared responsibility.   

John’s first promotion in Denver was a benefit performance for a young mother with breast cancer.  The benefit performances have continued, and now John is the beneficiary.  There was a “Scleroderma Awareness Benefit Show” for John at the Old Curtis Street Bar  in March and another upcoming on April 4, 2008 at the Hi Dive Lounge, located at 7 South Broadway, the show will begin at 8 p.m., so come out and show your support.

It benefits all scleroderma patients to have someone like John Baxter and his friends bring awareness of the disease, and grabbing front-page headlines to boot.  We are thankful for all their hard work and wish them continued success!