The Fall-Winter edition of The Bulletin is here!
Download or read the latest edition of The Bulletin here, for the latest in news and information about living with scleroderma.
Visit The Bulletin page for past editions.
New resources to check out
ScleroCare “started as a student project, driven by passion and a commitment to improving care for those with scleroderma. With support from the Scleroderma Society of Ontario, it evolved into a platform offering tailored resources and community support.”
“At ScleroCare, we’re devoted to empowering those with scleroderma by fostering connections, and providing accessible, community-driven resources for support.”
The innoviCares card is a free prescription savings card available to all Canadian residents, and is funded by participating pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Annual Education Event and AGM
Scleroderma Manitoba’s Education Event and Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 in the Qualico Centre at Assiniboine Park.
It was a good opportunity to get together, meet others in the scleroderma community, and learn more together about living with scleroderma.
The topic for our Education Event was Pulmonary Hypertension in Scleroderma and featured presentations by Dr. Christiansen (St. Boniface Hospital) and Kim Brunelle (PH Canada).
A video of Kim Brunelle’s presentation is available on the Videos page.
Contact sclerodermamb@gmail.com to access Dr. Christiansen’s presentation.
We also welcomed three new Board members. Ademola Salami is our new President, Arthura Phan was elected Treasurer, and Manu Jagdeo is a new Member-at-large.
See who else is on the Board of Directors here.
Visit the Activity Reports page to read or download the 2024 Annual Report.
Consider getting involved!
Participating as a Director on the Scleroderma Manitoba Board is a great way to meet others in the community, learn more about scleroderma and help to continue to provide support to the scleroderma community in Manitoba to make it even stronger.
We are seeking volunteers to fill the vacant board position of Vice President.
Interested? Have questions? Email sclerodermamb@gmail.com.
Videos available
There are several videos available on topics related to living with scleroderma on our Videos page.
Participate in SPIN-SELF
Enrollment is now open for SPIN’s scleroderma self-management program. SPIN-SELF is a program designed to provide knowledge and skills for managing physical, emotional and social consequenses of scleroderma.
Participants get access to 9 self-management modules and receive $100.
Fiches éducatives maintenant disponibles en français | Educational sheets now also available in French
Nous continuons d’ajouter de nouvelles fiches d’information sur la vie avec la sclérodermie, et Sclérodermie Québec nous a fourni aussi des versions françaises.
Accédez aux versions françaises ici.
We continue to add new information sheets related to living with scleroderma, and now Scleroderma Quebec has provided us with French versions as well.
Access the English versions here.
SclerodermaNews.com
Scleroderma News is “The Web’s Daily Resource for Scleroderma News.”
It’s a good site to bookmark for the latest in research and information about scleroderma.
Scleroderma Manitoba’s Support Group is there for you.
Scleroderma Manitoba hosts support groups for scleroderma patients, their families, and their supporters.
Upcoming meeting dates and details as well as summaries and resources from past meetings are available here.
Scleroderma Manitoba Research Grants
Information and applications for Research and Professional Development grants are available here.
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.
Information about COVID-19 vaccination for scleroderma patients.
The Bulletin
The Fall-Winter 2024 edition of The Bulletin has arrived. Past and current editions of The Bulletin can be found 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).
The word “scleroderma” 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.
