News

From left: Lauren Beeson; Samantha Murray; Chris Harrison; Jodi Danois; SE Florida Chapter Executive Director; Sharla Slappey, Chapter Board Treasurer; Christina Thrailkill, Dade County Support Group Leader; and Gary Barg, SE FL board member, who was a speaker at the Conference.

Southeast Florida Wins Award at National Conference

Outstanding Chapter Fundraising Award – Southeast Florida Chapter
Demonstrating the most growth and innovation, the Southeast Florida Chapter was awarded this year’s Outstanding Chapter Fundraising Award. From 2006–2007, the Chapter grew by 85%, and developed a new “Mother’s Day Brunch” event that was able to generate awareness and revenue for the Foundation. Their creative spirit and incentive for growth has helped the chapter to enrich the lives of even more individuals living with scleroderma.

11th Annual Ellen Ehrhart Medical Symposium

On Saturday, June 7, 2008 over 90 people came out to North Broward Medical Center for the Scleroderma Foundations 11th Annual Ellen Ehrhart Medical Symposium sponsored by Actelion Pharmaceuticals.  The day was a huge success and everyone in attendance was very excited with the wealth of information that was presented. 

We would like to thank all of our guest speakers for volunteering their time on a Saturday to educate all of our attendees.  These highly renowned medical professionals presented and discussed topics dealing with the stomach or GI issues, Pain Management and life as a Caregiver.  Following each presentation, audience members were given the opportunity to ask specific questions related to their own Scleroderma issues.  This question and answer period was extremely helpful. 

On behalf of the Scleroderma Foundation I would like to express our most sincere gratitude to the following speakers: Dr. Edward Deutsch, Dr. Jeffrey Behrens and Gary Barg.  Thank you goes out to Strathmore Bagels for providing some tasty breakfast snacks and an extra special thank you to Actelion Pharmaceuticals for making this event possible

Our next Medical Symposium being held on Saturday, October 25th at South Miami Hospital.  There will be a wealth of information and some wonderful physicians speaking.  Call the office for more details or to register.

Annual Meeting/Holiday Party News

4th Annual "Stepping Out To Cure Scleroderma" Walk: Best Ever for the Southeast Florida Chapter!

On Saturday, November 3, 2007 the Scleroderma Foundation Southeast Florida Chapter celebrated its 4th Annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Walk at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. We welcomed over 250 guests and raised over $26,000 in funding.

The many volunteers, corporate sponsors and participants who went out and collected pledges made this event possible and so very successful. We would like to thank again the following companies who gave generously to support our cause through this special event:

ACTELION PHARMACEUTICALS
ACCREDO THERAPEUTICS
GILEAD
TECHNOLOGY CONSERVATION GROUP
UNITED THERAPEUTICS
CURASCRIPT
MERCANTILE BANK
CECILIE’S GOURMET ITALIAN ICES
STARBUCKS COFFEE
SOUTH FLORIDA KUNG FU EXCHANGE
ART POLLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Congratulations to the following outstanding teams who worked so hard and won trophies in the following categories:

Largest Family & Friends Team: Team Bari
Largest Corporate Team: Corporate Express
Most Team Spirit: Team Bari
Team – Most Money Raised: Team Bari
Individual Fundraising Winner: Christine Rice (Team Kylie)

A BIG THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!

We want to thank our treasured volunteers, who went above and beyond to make this year’s Walk our best ever!

To the many people who may have walked, volunteered, made a donation, formed a team, collected pledges, or helped spread the word about Scleroderma, your time energy and resources are greatly appreciated.

To everyone reading this, please join us next year! The help, support and funding we receive through this event truly makes a difference in our ability to extend resources toward improvement of the quality of life of those affected by Scleroderma.

If you would like information on becoming involved in and supporting our Fifth Annual Walk, please contact us at 954.255.8335 or via email at
sclerodermasofl@bellsouth.net. We look forward to staying in touch and sincerely thank you for your continued support.