‘Virtual’ Fundraising Walks to Mark World Scleroderma Day – Today

Today is the World Scleroderma Day, and to mark the occasion the Scleroderma Foundation is hosting a virtual “stepping out to cure scleroderma” walk-a-thon.

The online initiative is an opportunity to connect with friends, family and supporters, and take part in an event to honor — or in memory of — a loved one affected by scleroderma.

Actual walks are planned in a select number of U.S. cities this year, but today anyone wishing to participate in the fundraiser  can do so by registering for a “virtual walk” online.

All virtual walker participants will be given a personal fundraising page to collect donations from family and friends, with money raised being used “to get one step closer to finding better therapies, and hopefully, a cure for scleroderma,” the Scleroderma Foundation says on the walk’s webpage.

Participants are asked to be creative in how they approach their event, and suggestions offered range from walking in the comfort of your own home, to inviting friends and family for a walk around a park, organizing a picnic, or taking part in a local run/walk race.

To find out if a local walk is scheduled near your home, please check this link.

An added benefit of participating in a scleroderma walk is the opportunity to find out about initiatives and programs in place concerning scleroderma, as well as about groups working to make sure scleroderma remains a priority among elected officials.

Many of the foundation’s 20 chapters are hosting local walks this year.

People are also invited to be active on social media platforms by sharing information from the Scleroderma Foundation on their Facebook or Twitter accounts, using the hashtag #WorldSclerodermaDay.

Money raised in the walks will be used to further research into causes and treatments for scleroderma, and to support resources and free educational forums for patients and families.