Spring 2008 Newsletter - click here to download (PDF)

NBC 5 Health Expo

Many thanks to volunteers Kathy Siemianowski, Christine Jimenez and Dr. Lexa Walsh for donating their time at the NBC 5 Health Expo. March 15-16. We have heard that over 45,000 people attended this event, even though it was St. Patty's day weekend. We spoke with many of them, and put our new brochure inventory to good use.

Thanks Again!

Seminar Held Dec. 15 at Northwestern

We wish to thank Dr. Monique Hinchcliff for coordinating our Dec. 15th seminar held at Northwestern. The day was very informative, and everyone who participated expressed their  gratitude to Northwestern for sponsoring this educational event.
We also wish to thank Dr. Neil Peters, Dr. Julie Whittington, and Martha Hann RN, for their wonderful presentations. A big thank you also, to Dr. John Varga for his continued support of the Scleroderma Foundation. Pictured are some participants and the presenters at the seminar.

ILLINOIS AUTOIMMUNE TAX CHECKOFF BILL PASSES!

SB 797, the state income tax check off measure has been passed and signed into law by the Governor.

This bill provides for much needed funding for Autoimmune Disease research.

BE SURE AND LOCATE THE CHECKOFF LINE ON YOUR 2007 STATE INCOME TAX RETURN AND DONATE A PORTION OF YOUR REFUND OR MAKE A DONATION TO FUND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE RESEARCH.
CHECK OFF ON LINE J.

October 23 Educational Seminar

Tuesday evening Oct. 23 a free seminar was held at Rush University Medical Center for our scleroderma patients, friends and families. The speakers included Dr. Sheila Dugan, Rush University Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jennifer Ryan PT, and Bev.Miller OT.

We wish to thank Dr. Dugan, Ms. Ryan and Ms. Miller for their informative and interesting presentations, and their outstanding handouts.

October 30 Education Seminar

Tuesday night, Oct. 30, Dr. Stuart Rich and Dr. Nadera Sweiss hosted a seminar at the University of Chicago. Those who attended were treated to wonderful presentations on Pulmonary Hypertension, and an overview of treatments for scleroderma and clinical trial updates.

A big thank you goes out to Dr Rich and Dr. Sweiss for taking their time to present to us.

Bob and Jean Kacick, chapter board members.

Photo album

Teeing up “Fore” Scleroderma 2007

Monday, Sept. 17 was the day of the second annual Scleroderma Golf Outing, held at the Arboretum Club, in Buffalo Grove, Ill. Over 108 golfers participated, a huge increase from our first year. The day proved to be beautiful, with 78 degree temps and light winds.

The day began with registration, a box lunch, raffle ticket sales, and mulligan sales followed by 18 holes of golf, a cocktail hour, and scrumptious buffet dinner.

Chairman Mike Robbins presented the tournament winners with gift certificates and thanked all who helped and participated. Board President Greg Marion spoke and introduced patient and golfer, Leslie Cogan, who gave a wonderful talk. The winner of the 50/50 raffle was volunteer Nancy Domash. A silent auction with over 30 items finished out the evening.

We wish to thank our sponsors posted on this page, all of our volunteers, our Board of Directors for their support, our Golf Chairman, Mike Robbins, and all of our participants. Over $40,000 was raised in our second annual Golf Outing! See you next year!

Many thanks to all of our 2007 Sponsors!

• ClubHouse Leader Sponsor
  Paula and Roy May
• Birdie Sponsor
  Pedersen and Houpt
  Ruth and Ralph Michaels Foundation, Jules and Leslie Cogan
• Par Sponsor
  Pickens Kane
  Smurfit Stone
  Lincoln Park Savings Bank
  ICG Interior Construction
  Gilead

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR 2007 HOLE SPONSORS!!

• “He Loved the Game” Roman Olozyk
• Ace Sandblast Company
• Bob and Jean Kacick
• Business Performance Institute (David Massello)
• Cratexpress
• Gilead
• Icg Interior Construction
• Jeff and Carolyn Kemp
• Karen Strizak
• Katy and Wade Buckles
• Lincoln Park Savings Bank
• Marge Bellock
• Patti McCarthy
• Paula and Roy May
• Pedersen and Houpt
• Peggy Adams
• Peggy and Dave Johnson
• Pickens Kane
• Ruth and Ralph Michaels Foundation
• (Jules and Leslie Cogan)
• Smurfit Stone
• Us Datacomm
• Velma Martin
• Carol's Cookies
• Stephen Arens/Jill Redeyoff
• Mike and Annette Robbins

Walkers at the Lake Geneva walk. Photo album.

Lake Geneva Walk 2007

It was a perfect autumn day, sunny, bright, and cool. About 200 walkers and volunteers gathered at Badger High School to participate in the “Partners For a Cure” walk in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. This is the third year Support Group leader Shari Lundberg has organized the walk.

Shari put together a super raffle with over 25 items. Lake Geneva Chevrolet, the Presenting Sponsor, sent many great volunteers and beautiful Chevrolet vehicles for all to admire. Many thanks to Jim Bozich for his continued support of the Lake Geneva walk.

The 1- and 3-mile walk began at 10 a.m. and wound through Badger State Park, ending back at the High School. Shari introduced members of her Support Group prior to the start of the walk.

Over $17,000 was raised to benefit the programs of the Scleroderma Foundation, Greater Chicago Chapter.

Many, many thanks to Shari, her group, all the volunteers, participants, dogs, kids, and donors who helped to make this a fun, successful day for all!

Photo Album.

Party at the Mart

Thursday, August 23 was a stormy, rain soaked night, but, for the brave people who ventured out and attended "Party at the Mart" the evening proved to be wonderful! Volunteer Nancy Domash put together a perfectly wonderful night, with an exciting silent auction, excellent food donated by Goose Island Brewery and wonderful drinks.

Over $4000 was raised in honor of Nancy's friend and scleroderma volunteer Lynn Merel.

Many, Many thanks to Nancy and Lynn and all who attended the event. Also, a huge thank you to the Melvin Wolf Showroom at the Mart.

Click images below for larger version.

Fifth Annual “Stepping Out for Scleroderma” a Huge Success!

Sunday, June 24 was the date for our fifth annual “Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma” walk held in beautiful downtown Highland Park. Chairwoman Carol Goldman and the fabulous walk committee, again, did a fantastic job of organizing, promoting and setting up the event. Many thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers including groups from Actelion pharmaceuticals, Gilead, and many Board members.

Activities included a moonwalk for the kids, a face painter and balloon designer, a wonderful raffle with many baskets, and other great items. Everyone participated in a 1 or 3 mile walk, and then returned to enjoy donated fruit, water, energy bars, Starbucks coffee and, of course, Carol’s Cookies!

We wish to thank our many sponsors including Actelion - National Platinum Sponsor, Whole Foods, Phoebe and Frances, Larry Miller Photography, Sunset Foods, Susan Spriggs face painter, Starbucks Coffee, Carol’s Cookies, Kashwere, Anton’s Fruit Ranch, Signs Now, Mirco Builders, Penny’s From Heaven, Lenzini Excavating, Dunkin Donuts Crossroads Car Wash, WLIT radio and Twist N’ Shout.

We are very happy to report that over $112,000 was raised to benefit the programs of the Scleroderma Foundation, Greater Chicago Chapter!