The Scleroderma Research Foundation Monthly eNewsletter

eNews: April Edition

Registration Now Open for "Collaborating for a Cure," the SRF Patient Forum, on June 3rd

Please join us for this FREE virtual forum for people living with scleroderma and those who care about them.

Kick-off Scleroderma Awareness Month by learning more about scleroderma! On June 3rd, we will host a half-day forum featuring educational sessions by leading clinicians and scientists, followed by live Q&As. Topics include symptom management, research news, and your role in finding a cure.

"Collaborating for a Cure" is an online, virtual event that anyone can attend for free by registering in advance.

Stay tuned—more information on this year's presenters and session topics will be coming soon!

Your Impact: Fueling Research Breakthroughs

Thanks to the generous support of donors and friends like you, we’ve always been able to put research at the center of everything we do. Here are a few highlights of research progress made possible by donor investments just this year so far:



• The CONQUEST Platform Clinical Trial is underway, with the first U.S. site opened this month
• Robust data from the SRF-led CONQUER registry is driving research forward, with 6 papers published 
• Dr. Howard Chang and his team at Stanford University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of the Xist molecule in autoimmunity

And there's even more. Learn more about all of the latest accomplishments made possible by your generosity and partnership.

Annual Science Workshop Drives Progress in Scleroderma Research

SRF’s recent Annual Science Workshop, held on April 12 & 13, serves as the cornerstone of our research program. Over two days, participating Scientific Advisors, funded investigators, new applicants, and expert speakers shared research updates, engaged in rigorous discussion, and brainstormed new approaches.

Following the workshop, Scientific Advisory Board members help evaluate the progress and potential of each project. By lending their expertise and insights, we can make impactful funding decisions, investing in exceptional basic and translational research that is both broad and deep.

The Workshop’s unique format fosters a collaborative environment that helps expedite research discoveries and allows for faster translation to patient care. It underscores our longstanding commitment to boldly driving progress in scleroderma research and bringing hope to those living with the disease. We look forward to announcing funded projects over the coming months.

Pictured: SRF-funded researcher Ryan Flynn (Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard University) in conversation at the Science Workshop

Gifts That Give Back: Tribute Giving for a Cause

This year, consider going beyond the ordinary; celebrate life's special moments with a tribute gift that honors the people and causes dear to your heart.

Whether you are celebrating a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or special friendship, or you simply want to make a gesture of appreciation, your tribute gift to the SRF carries double the impact—bringing joy to those celebrated and supporting groundbreaking research that brings us closer to a cure for scleroderma.

Donors have the option to make an individual gift or create a fundraiser to honor special people or milestones. Please consider making a tribute gift today and let your occasions resonate with purpose!

Celebrating the SRF Cure Crew Members

This National Volunteer Month, we're sending a heartfelt shoutout to the amazing volunteers of the Scleroderma Research Foundation: the Cure Crew!

This grassroots volunteer community of scleroderma patients, friends, and families dedicate their time and energy to change the lives of people who live with scleroderma. Cure Crew members globally are united by a shared belief in the power of research to help people with scleroderma live longer, fuller lives and lead us closer to a cure.

Thank you to EVERYONE in the Cure Crew for being such a powerful force behind our mission to end scleroderma. Your work makes a real difference for the scleroderma community!

Pictured: Volunteers at the SRF's signature fundraiser, Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine

Giving Just Got Easier: Introducing Digital Wallet Payments

We're excited to announce that supporting the SRF is now more convenient than ever. When you donate, you can now make your gift effortlessly using popular digital wallet platforms such as Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal.

Whether you're on the go or just prefer a seamless checkout experience, our new donation payment options ensure that giving to the SRF is quick, secure, and hassle-free. Join us in the fight against scleroderma today by making a difference with just a few taps or a click—your support will fuel life-changing research towards finding a cure.

Scleroderma Research in the News

Check out the latest research updates from the wider community from this month. While these projects aren't funded by us, we're encouraged to see this focus on understanding scleroderma.

FDA grants orphan drug status to BLR-200 for scleroderma

Cerebrovascular, cardiovascular disease risk seen higher in SSc

Nearly 75% of patients with SSc need specialist palliative care

In Case You Missed it: Recent SRF Highlights

The Scleroderma Research Foundation Announces the Launch of the CONQUEST Trial Platform and IND Clearance

Introducing Dr. Greg Gordon, the SRF's First Chief Medical Officer

You Helped Us Create a First-of-its-Kind Patient Registry, and It’s Already Generating Results

Washington Post: "Scientists Found a Major Clue Why 4 of 5 Autoimmune Patients Are Women"

Research is at the center of all we do to find a cure.

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Ways to Support Research

Employer Matching / Planned Giving

Read the SRF Annual Report