News

The guest speaker for this meeting was Dr. Maribel Maldonado, a retired dentist and scleroderma patient, active member of San Juan Support Group.

Mrs. Awilda E. Berrios Burgos, Cayey, Puerto Rico Support Group leader starts the meeting by welcoming the guests.	Luz Adelma Lugo, a scleroderma patient, is registering at the welcome table. With her is Angela Berrios one of our volunteers.
People enjoyed the conference and all the information they could gather. Here Dr. Maldonado shows one of the moisturizing creams she is using for her skin condition.	This picture shows the members who participated in Cayey, Puerto Rico Support Group meeting held on December 10, 2005 at San Juan Bautista School of Medicine in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Merry Christmas!

It was a great conference where Dr. Maldonado told her experiences and what she has done—searching for treatments to have a better life with scleroderma. She shared her findings and her results. She advised us to talk with our personal doctor before starting any alternative medicine treatment or medication. Her husband, Dr. Hernan Rodriguez, also talked about all the investigations his wife has done since she was diagnosed with scleroderma. All her familly supported her in this way in order to have a better quality of life. After the conference she received a certificate of thanks and a nice gift.

There were about 35 people who enjoyed the activity. Many of them were participating for the first time in a support group meeting. At the registration each participant received a Christmas bag full of goodies and scleroderma literature.

The activity continued with Santa Claus's gift distribution. Everyone received a gift in name of Awilda E. Berrios Burgos. The activity ended tasting delicious traditional food, healthy beverages and dessert.

We thank all the people who donated their time and effort to make this activity a succesful one.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year full of health, peace and happiness!!

2005 Awareness Activities

November Awareness Activities

Cayey Puerto Rico Support Group made November a month for awareness of scleroderma. During this month, group members visited two hospitals in the area and a radio station, making people aware of this illness. On November 1, 3 and 8, they were present in the lobby of HIMA Hospital in Caguas city, and on November 21 and 22 they visited Menonitas Hospital in Cayey city.

Awilda E. Berrios Burgos, Cayey Support Group Leader distributed literature and explained about scleroderma. Many health professionals and students came to ask about the condition. There were also new patients who asked to register for the next activity.

On November 26, Mrs. Berrios was interviewed by Mr. Pedro Meléndez, Menonitas Hospital Administrator in Radio Isla Station in Cayey. It was an hour interview where she explained, in language the radio listeners could understand, about the illness and her experiences during the years of her illness.

We want to thank all the people in Hima Hospital in Caguas and Menonitas Hospital in Cayey and the Radio Isla Station for all their support for making all of these activities possible. See photos below.

Cayey, Puerto, Big Kmart

During October 28–30, 2005, we had a demostration of literature, pictures and books near the pharmacy at Kmart in Cayey. During those days many people asked us about scleroderma. We told people about the illness and gave them literature. We also talked with some teachers and social workers that were near us telling them of the importance to know about this condition because of children that are more frequently diagnosed with scleroderma.

Naty Monserrate, one of our volunteers, was helping us with the orientations. The pharmacist, Maria Ruiz was our hostess and we gave her a certificate of thanks for her cooperation. See photos below.