2008 National Patient Education Conference Award Winners

Once again, 2008 proved to be yet another year in which strides were made to further the Scleroderma Foundation’s mission of support, education, and research. Much of this success is due to the individuals, support groups, and chapters across the nation who volunteer to adopt the Foundation’s mission as their own.

With so many individuals and groups dedicating their time and effort to the cause of scleroderma, the Foundation was hard pressed to select only a handful of deserving candidates. Thanks to the candid reflections of chapters and support groups nationwide, however, the Foundation was able to decide upon seven individuals to be given awards at this year’s National Conference during Saturday evening’s Awards Banquet.

Chris Harrison with members of the Michigan Chapter (from left: Annie Valle, President and Lisa Simpson, Michigan Board Member.

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, who was a speaker at the Conference.

From left: Chris Harrison; Ann Peterson, Greater Chicago Chapter Executive Director; and Bob Kacick, National Board Member

From left: Chris Harrison; Cindi Brannum, Texas Chapter President; Frannie Waldron, SF CEO; and Robert Riggs, SF Chief Development Office

From left: Samantha Murray, Lauren Beeson, Annie Valle, and Chris Harrison

From left: Chris Harrison, Samantha Murray, Lauren Beeson, and David Leader, D.M.D.

Chris Harrison and Cynthia Cervantes

From left: Chris Harrison, Elaine Furst, R.N., M.S.N., and Foundation Board Member David Parker, J.D.

With Chris Harrison, host of ABC’s "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" as the emcee for the Awards Banquet and youth and teen ambassadors, Samantha Murray and Lauren Beeson as award assistants, the stage was set to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions to the Foundation in 2008.

Outstanding Education/Patient Support Award – Michigan Chapter
Finding new ways to offer support services is essential to ensuring more and more individuals are able to find the help and assistance they need from their local scleroderma chapter. This year, the Michigan chapter created a new program titled, “Hope, Health, and Healing,” which included a day-long conference in addition to a variety of other support services. In a separate endeavor, the Michigan Chapter further developed its partnership with the WNBA to generate greater awareness about scleroderma, as well.

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.

Outstanding Chapter Public Awareness – Greater Chicago Chapter
Generating awareness for scleroderma is not always a convenient task. Understanding this, the leaders of the Greater Chicago Chapter abandoned their St. Patrick’s Day plans to participate in a health expo sponsored by a local NBC affiliate station. This expo attracted more than 45,000 attendees, and kept the Chicago leaders busy engaging with individuals about scleroderma at the expo.

Chapter Volunteer of the Year – Cindi Brannum
Everyday, ordinary people carry out exceptional roles. This is indeed true of Cindi Brannum of the Texas Bluebonnet Chapter, who was awarded this year’s Chapter Volunteer of the Year award. Despite the challenges of living with scleroderma herself, Cindi came to support the chapter in the midst of its own internal crisis, volunteering to assist in any way she could and handled various challenges with great confidence.

Support Group Volunteer of the Year – Annie Valle
Volunteers are the backbone of the Scleroderma Foundation, and without their undying loyalty, many of the Foundation’s grassroots efforts and support services would never come to fruition. It is precisely this loyalty to the mission of the Foundation, that this year’s award winner, Annie Valle of the Michigan Chapter, was chosen. After years of volunteer service as Michigan Chapter President and a support group leader, Annie Valle left her position to spend more time with her grandchildren. Yet, when the chapter volunteers and leaders fell ill and needed her assistance once again, she happily returned to her position as chapter president to assist those in need.

Fundraiser of the Year – Annie Minium of Beta Sigma Phi
The ladies of Beta Sigma Phi were chosen as this year’s recipients of the Fundraiser of the Year award. For the past 28 years, the philanthropic group has supported the Foundation in its efforts to raise funds for new research and support programs. Annie Finium, Orange Coast Council’s 2008–2009 Philanthropic Chair, accepted the award on behalf of Beta Sigma Phi, however unfortunately could not attend the Awards Banquet.

Doctor of the Year – Dr. David Leader
Academic dedication, for all its benefit, is only one aspect of what truly defines an outstanding doctor. What makes a superior doctor is not only their skill, but more importantly, their passion. Indeed, it takes a rare individual to endear the needs and concerns of others close to his or her heart, and in doing so, strive to offer more of their services in return. In many ways, this describes Dr. David Leader, whose academic expertise and willingness to help the Foundation in any way he can have contributed to the generating of more awareness about the disease. Dr. Leader’s contributions to the Foundation have ranged from speaking at four National Conferences to authoring various articles in the "Scleroderma VOICE" and the Foundation’s brochure on oral health.

Messenger of Hope – Cynthia Cervantes
What made Cynthia Cervantes this year’s Messenger of Hope was not only her inspirational remarks, but rather, her declarations, as well. Cynthia’s poignant statements made to congressional leaders during the House Health and Human Services Labor Appropriations Sub-Committee in Washington, D.C. outlined her experience with scleroderma and her firm belief that her battle with scleroderma, similar to that of so many others nationwide, would have a happy ending with increased funding for research. It is because of these candid declarations of hope, courage, and optimism that Cynthia is a true "messenger" for all those living with scleroderma.

Founder’s Award – Elaine Furst
Elaine Furst was awarded this year’s Founder’s Award for her many years of dedication to the Foundation. Having first joined the United Scleroderma Foundation in 1994, Elaine later served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Scleroderma Foundation. As a former R.N. and instructor, Elaine has contributed her skills to various National Conference workshops and lectures, written articles for the "Scleroderma VOICE" magazine, and participated in various support groups helping those to cope with the effects of scleroderma.

Read more about the Conference.