The Scleroderma Research Foundation Monthly eNewsletter



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eNews: March Edition

Scleroderma Research Foundation Funded Researcher Talks with Fox News about Autoimmune Diseases in Women

SRF-funded researcher Dr. Howard Chang shares a breakthrough discovery he and his collaborators made, shedding light on why women are more likely than men to develop autoimmune diseases like scleroderma, in this recent piece from Fox News.


Learn more about Dr. Chang's research and watch a clip from this interview on our website.

Learn More

Read More About This Study In the News:

New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, Nature, CBS News, StatSan Francisco Chronicle, Time Magazine, Stanford Medicineand Salon.

Carl Mayer Honors Bob Saget’s Legacy by Raising Funds for Scleroderma Research

This past January, Carl Mayer hosted a special version of his #15dollargameshow on Instagram Live in memory of his long-time friend, Bob Saget—raising more than $3,100 for scleroderma research!

Over 400 viewers tuned in to the show, including special guest contestant Kelly Rizzo, Bob's wife and Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine Co-chair, to watch contestants answer trivia questions to raise funds for the SRF.


In addition to raising funds, Carl raised awareness about scleroderma and Bob’s work with the SRF. For Carl, it still feels like Bob is around. "Because Bob and I lived on opposite ends of the country, it’s like we're just both busy and I haven't heard from him in a while," Carl said. "So, while I'm driven by wanting to honor his memory, it also sort of feels like he and I are teamed up on this.”

Like Bob, Carl wholeheartedly supports scleroderma research. “The search for a cure for scleroderma is one of the few things that we can all rally behind regardless of other differences," he says. "I doubt anyone is pro-scleroderma... and if anyone is, I'd like to meet that person just to find out what their deal is.”

Thank you to Carl, the contestants, and the many viewers and fans of Carl and #15dollargameshow who generously donated in memory of Bob. All funds raised directly support our mission to drive scleroderma research forward until we find a cure.


Pictured: Carl Mayer with Kelly Rizzo on #15dollargameshow

Share Your Scleroderma Life Hacks on Video

Found a creative way to manage Raynaud's flare-ups? Got advice for how to stay organized while juggling doctor's appointments? Or discovered some other way to make your life easier while managing living with scleroderma? We want to hear from you!


As someone with scleroderma, you are the expert on how to live your life while managing this disease. Create a short video sharing your life hack and send it in at the link below. We'll feature as many as we can in our upcoming Patient Forum, "Collaborating for a Cure," and may even share some on social media. Thank you in advance!

Share Your Life Hack

What's Coming Up In the Next Few Months

April 12-13 • The SRF Science Workshop


In this annual workshop, SRF-funded researchers will be gathering to share updates, collaborate, and more. Updates to follow!

About the Workshop

June 3 • The SRF Patient Forum, Collaborating for a Cure



Don't miss this free, half-day virtual event for people living with scleroderma and those who care for them.

Learn More

June 29 • World Scleroderma Day


Join us for one the biggest days of the year to #SayScleroderma—download resources from our website to help spread the word about this disease.

View Resources

The SRF Presents CONQUEST at the Systemic Sclerosis World Congress Meeting in Prague

Earlier this month, the Scleroderma Research Foundation hosted an international group of investigators to learn more about CONQUEST, our groundbreaking platform clinical trial, at the Systemic World Congress Meeting in Prague.

 

In a discussion led by CONQUEST Steering Committee Co-Chair Dinesh Khanna, MD, MSc (University of Michigan School of Medicine), the group gathered to learn more about CONQUEST’s innovative design current status, and future plans.

 

“This meeting was a productive step forward in growing international collaboration,” says Dr. Greg Gordon, the SRF’s Chief Medical Officer who also attended the meeting. “We gathered with a group of esteemed colleagues, and we outlined how the CONQUEST trial will accelerate current and future research into scleroderma treatments.” 

 

SRF Board Chairman Luke Evnin, PhD worked directly with Dr. Gordon to help advance CONQUEST collaborations. “With CONQUEST, the Scleroderma Research Foundation is deepening its commitment and support for research that addresses the high unmet needs of scleroderma patients,” Luke shares.

 

Using a model first created over a decade ago to accelerate oncology drug development, the SRF platform clinical trial is the first of its kind in autoimmune diseases. In its initial iteration, CONQUEST will focus on Interstitial Lung Disease secondary to Scleroderma (SSc-ILD) which manifests in patients as lung fibrosis. In the future, the CONQUEST platform will be expanded to address other manifestations of scleroderma. 

Learn More about CONQUEST

Increase Your Impact: Check If Your Employer Will Match Your Gift

Did you know that your employer could help you make an even bigger impact when you donate to support the Scleroderma Research Foundation’s research and education programs? 


By taking advantage of corporate matching gift opportunities, you can make your donations go even further. Many companies, including 65% of Fortune 500 companies, offer matching gift opportunities to support the causes their employees care about most.

Not sure if your company offers a matching gift program? It's easy to find out! Use our matching gift search tool below or ask your HR department.

Don’t miss the chance to amplify your impact. Search for your company today.

Check if Your Employer Matches Gifts

Join Us on TikTok and Help Spread Awareness

Everyone should know what scleroderma is and does. That's why we've expanded our social media presence to TikTok and are now reaching thousands more people than ever before!


Follow us there and help share information about scleroderma, so that everyone knows about this disease and understands the need for research.

Join Us on TikTok

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 excited and encouraged to see this focus on understanding scleroderma.

Hispanic American Patients With Systemic Sclerosis Linked to Higher Mortality Rate vs White Patients

Joint inflammation, health-related quality of life linked in SSc


COVID-19 Tied to Increased Risk for Rheumatic Disease

T-helper cells may affect lung disease severity in SSc


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

2023 Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine, a Tribute to Bob Saget, raises $1.2 Million for Scleroderma Research!

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

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Ways to Support Research

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Employer Matching / Planned Giving

Read the SRF Annual Report