NEWS
Walk for Scleroderma 2021 was a great success!
Looking Forward with Hope…thanks to our walk participants and donors!
Our Annual Walk to acknowledge Scleroderma Awareness Month was a success.
Our goal to collectively walk, run or cycle 2021 km – the distance from Winnipeg to Churchill and back soon was surpassed by the seven teams of enthusiastic participants who logged over 5050 kilometres! Their “travels” are illustrated on the map.
Thanks to everyone who supported our participants with their donations, we also exceeded our fundraising goal of $20,000.
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While we estimate there are between 300 and 400 scleroderma patients in Manitoba, scleroderma also affects patients’ partners, children, parents, in-laws, extended family and friends. Whether newly diagnosed or living with scleroderma for some time, the patients and their caregivers face many challenges, fear and uncertainty every day.
Donations to Scleroderma Manitoba help us to continue outreach, support and education efforts for those touched by scleroderma across the province. Donations also fund important research to improve the quality of life for Scleroderma patients, extend life expectancy, and hopefully one day find a cure.
Your commitment to Scleroderma Manitoba is a continuing source of hope. Thank you.
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Welcome to Scleroderma Manitoba
Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with scleroderma for some time, or if your spouse or partner, child, parent, or family member has been diagnosed with scleroderma, or if your friend, co-worker, or employee has scleroderma, YOU are a part of the scleroderma community in Manitoba.
This site is here to help you find support and to learn more about scleroderma, current research, advocacy and ways to volunteer.
*New information about COVID-19 vaccination for scleroderma patients
The Bulletin
The Spring-Summer edition of The Bulletin has arrived. Click here for details.
Support
Scleroderma Manitoba hosts support groups for scleroderma patients, their families and their supporters.
We are now holding online support groups due to Covid-19.
To learn more, click here.
About Scleroderma Manitoba
Read more about Scleroderma Manitoba and its Mission here.
Research
Find the latest information on scleroderma research here.
Get involved
Check out volunteer opportunities and ways to donate.
What is Scleroderma?
Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis or SSc) is a largely misunderstood chronic disease affecting about approximately 22,000 Canadian and five to six times more women than men are affected by this disease.Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease, a condition in which a person’s immune system turns against itself by producing antibodies that attack its own tissues (i.e. autoantibodies).This disease is derived from the Greek words “skleros” (hard) and “derma” (skin) and is characterized by progressive skin hardening.Scleroderma is characterized by an overproduction of collagen and damage to the blood vessels that causes excessive scarring within the various organs. This imbalance leads to a hardening of the skin (fibrosis) and an alteration of the affected organs.
Moreover, in most cases, scleroderma limits the motor skills and dexterity of those affected and causes great physical and psychological suffering since it produces disfiguring appearance-related changes. Learn more.
