2009 Volunteers of the Year – Cathy Eddy and Bruce Cowan

Cindi Brannum, representing the Texas Chapter for the Outstanding Patient Support Award, and Emily Woods, Messenger of Hope Award winner. (Cindi presented the Award to Emily.)

2009 Doctor of the Year – Robert Lafyatis, M.D.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Thomas A. Medsger, Jr., M.D. – Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D. (r), (Dr. Feghali-Bostwick presented the award to Dr. Medsger.)

Outstanding Chapter Awareness: Southern California Chapter – Robert J. Riggs, Scleroderma Foundation Chief Operating Officer, Josephine Battany, Los Angeles Support Group Leader, Brian Ross Adams, Southern California Chapter Executive Director, and Cynthia Cervantes, chapter member.

Bruce Cowan, Tri-State Chapter President, and other chapter members, accepted the Outstanding Chapter Fundraising Award on behalf of the chapter and the Founders' Award on behalf of Rosemary Markoff.

Outstanding Fundraising: Jim, Pam, Lauren, and Kelly Duke – Pam and Lauren Duke accepted the award for Outstanding Fundraising on behalf of their family.

Support Group Volunteer of the Year Award: Carole Cowell – From left: Robert Riggs, Carole Cowell, Rhode Island Support Group Leader, Roger Brechner, SF Chapter and Support Group Manager, Lauren Beeson and Samantha Murray, SF Youth Ambassadors.

Outstanding Education Program: Ohio Chapter – Jerry Metz, Ohio Chapter Secretary, accepted the award on behalf of the chapter.

2009 National Patient Education Conference Award Winners

At the 2009 National Patient Education Conference, the Foundation recognized the achievements of a number of individuals and groups who went above and beyond in their efforts to promote the Foundation's mission. The awards were presented to 12 individuals during the Saturday evening Awards Banquet, sponsored by Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Below you can find a brief summary of the award winners (a few people were not in attendance, thus we do not have photos of them).

Volunteers of the Year: Bruce Cowan and Cathy Eddy

Bruce originally became a member of Foundation in 2000, and quickly offered to serve as a formal member on the Tri-State Chapter’s Board of Directors. In 2006, he was elected by his fellow board members to serve as Vice President. For years, he has continued to be an invaluable leader to chapter staff and members alike, playing an active role in the development of walks and other events. Championing the Foundation’s mission throughout the year, Bruce donates his time and expertise to advancing member outreach and advocacy endeavors.

Cathy’s involvement with the Foundation dates back to 1996 when she attended her first national conference. It was not long before she took the initiative and set up an informal scleroderma support group in her local hometown to help others like herself cope with the physical and emotional effects of the disease. Soon after in 2001, the Northern California Chapter was formed. She continued to assist the chapter throughout the years, first by becoming a support group leader and later by accepting her current role as president in 2007. Her selfless dedication to patients and families in search of support brought her national attention when, just this past year, she was chosen as one of Nabisco’s "100 Extraordinary Women."

Messenger of Hope: Emily Woods

Emily Woods exemplifies the very qualities of strength, courage, and optimism that define not only her remarkable character, but the character of the scleroderma community. Emily Woods persevered through an arduous 4-month long stem cell transplant and emerged from it victorious. She returned to her family and friends with renewed health and strength, and became a member of the Texas Bluebonnet Chapter. There, she volunteered her time on a weekly basis to help with various administrative tasks of the chapter office. She later became a support group leader and worked with neighboring support groups across Texas.  In addition, Emily traveled to Capitol Hill in support of the HR 2408 Scleroderma Bill and shared with legislators her tale of triumph. As a volunteer, advocate, mother, and stem-cell transplant survivor, Emily’s story is one tale of hope that inspires all.

Doctor of the Year: Robert Lafyatis, M.D.

For so many, Dr. Robert Lafyatis’ efforts have helped to foster even greater interest in scleroderma and helped to bring us closer to finding a cure. As a physician and researcher, Dr. Lafyatis is an avid supporter of the educational and research-related initiatives of the Foundation. As an Associate Professor of Medicine and Laboratory Director at Boston University, he continually acts as an invaluable resource to the Foundation for scleroderma-related information. Despite his demanding schedule, he continually offers any assistance and support he can to Foundation programs. As a member of the Foundation’s Peer Review Committee, he has offered his time and expertise to ensuring the Foundation’s fundraising dollars go to only the best proposals. Most recently, Dr. Lafyatis agreed to be on the Advisory Committee for the Foundation’s newly created Echo Campaign. His support allows the Foundation to move forward with all aspects of its mission.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Thomas A. Medsger, Jr., M.D.

Dr. Thomas Medsger has created a legacy of knowledge surrounding scleroderma as well as other related diseases—championing the Foundation’s mission and advocacy efforts. As a physician, researcher, and academic at the University of Pittsburg, his work on scleroderma has earned him worldwide recognition among patient and academic circles alike. He has published hundreds of articles and reports that have made significant contributions to our present understanding of epidemiology and rheumatology. His contributions to the Foundation have been equally valuable and advantageous. In the past, Dr. Medsger has contributed a number of articles and information for the Foundation’s various publications. Today, Dr. Medsger serves the Western Pennsylvania Chapter in three capacities: as a member of the Chapter’s Medical Advisory Board, as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors, and as the interim president. Overall, Dr. Medgser’s work as both a university researcher and as a volunteer to the Foundation have made him one of the most prominent scleroderma experts today.

Outstanding Chapter Awareness: Southern California

The Southern California Chapter has consistently been at the forefront of the Foundation’s advocacy and awareness initiatives. Hosting its 12th Annual “Key to a Cure Gala” last year, the Chapter was able to not only fundraise for the Foundation, but also educate the attendees about scleroderma as well. The Chapter’s annual Poker Tournament also helped to draw in new crowds that were eager to play a hand while learning about the disease. Thanks to the leadership of Executive Director, Brian Ross Adams, (who also serves as Chair of the Advocacy Committee), the Chapter helped organize Cynthia Cervantes' poignant testimony on Capitol Hill. Helping to educate lawmakers about the disease, the Southern California Chapter has reached out to a number of congressmen and women on Capitol Hill to seek out congressional support for the Scleroderma Awareness Bill, HR 2408, recently introduced into Congress. Both at the local and national level, the Southern California Chapter generated a great deal of advocacy and awareness for scleroderma throughout the past year and continues to assist other chapters in doing the same.

Outstanding Patient Support Award: Texas Bluebonnet Chapter

The Texas Bluebonnet Chapter demonstrated this past year that it never settles for its present level of achievement. Time and time again, the volunteers that make up the Texas Chapter continue to seek out new ways of enhancing and enriching patient’s lives and those who care for them. It was the Texas Chapter that pioneered the Foundation’s first-ever yoga video for scleroderma. Following this, the chapter laid out plans to begin production on a second video—"Assisted Yoga for Scleroderma." Listening to patients questions and concerns about day-to-day living allows the Texas Chapter to better understand the needs of those they serve and in turn provide new resources and ideas to benefit the scleroderma community.

Outstanding Chapter Fundraising Award: Tri-State Chapter

Despite an economic recession, the Tri-State Chapter proved it had the creative skill and dedication to raise tremendous funds for scleroderma. The chapter raised nearly half a million dollars in their 2008 “Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma” walks alone, which nearly doubled their overall funds. This accomplishment on behalf of the Tri-State Chapter is a testament not only to the efforts of the chapter staff and leadership but to the spirit of the scleroderma family throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut who participated in these fundraising events.

Outstanding Fundraising Award: Jim, Pam, Lauren, and Kelly Duke

Jim, Pam, Lauren, and Kelly Duke of Ocala, Florida, have raised funds for the Scleroderma Foundation for years with their famous “Cooking Up a Storm” dinner parties. The Dukes annual “Cooking Up A Storm” dinner parties have raised almost a quarter of a million dollars in the past four years. In their words, “food, fun, and fellowship are a recipe for success in raising awareness and funds to support the mission of the Foundation.” Lauren Duke recently was featured in a special Foundation mailing, chronicling her experience with scleroderma and her efforts to raise funds to help others battling the disease. Indeed, the Duke family has provided tremendous hope to the entire scleroderma community through their annual efforts to generate awareness and funds for the Foundation.

Support Group Volunteer of the Year: Carole Cowell

Carole Cowell has been the support group leader of the Rhode Island Support Group for an astounding 15 years. Her commitment and compassion can be witnessed by through the eyes of the many individuals who have benefited from her time and talents. Carole is always busy "going the extra mile"— whether it’s making regular visits to patients who are in the hospital and bringing flowers, or celebrating the birthdays of her support group participants by bringing a cake to the meeting, Carole makes the Foundation’s mission of support a personal mission of her own. Always in support of the New England Chapter, Carole continually helps out with fundraising or awareness events.

Outstanding Education Program: Ohio Chapter

Outstanding Education Program Award went to the Ohio Chapter, which sponsored a state-wide education event that was attended by many scleroderma patients, their family members, friends and caregivers. This two-day event included nine different seminars and workshops as well as a volunteer appreciation dinner. The Ohio Chapter's Mini-Conference was a first of its kind for the chapter and was extremely well attended. Thanks to the leadership of the Chapter, this successful event inspired many to learn more about scleroderma.

Founder’s Award: Rosemary Markoff

Rosemary Markoff was awarded this year’s Founder’s Award for her longstanding dedication to the Foundation. National and Chicago board member, Bob Kacick, presented Markoff with her award. Kacick described Markoff’s years of service with the Foundation, outlining the many roles and duties she has fulfilled as a support group leader, executive director, and current treasurer of the Tri-State Chapter. Markoff’s achievements were also noted by Bruce Cowan, Tri-State’s Vice President, who emphasized Markoff’s extraordinary dedication to patients and their families.