The Duluth Scleroderma Support Group would like to invite you to walk with them on Saturday June 2, 2012. The walk, will be at Bayfront Park, Registration will be at 9 a.m., with a fee of $15, and it will take place rain or shine. People interested in walking for this cause can call Carole Berg, Duluth support group leader, at (218) 721-3940 or e-mail her at caroleberg56@yahoo.com.

The walk starts at 10 a.m. and won’t last long — it’s only one-half mile long.  The family event also will include food and refreshments, entertainment by the Lake Superior Clowns and eligibility for door prizes donated by local merchants.

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

The word “scleroderma” comes from two Greek words: “sclero” meaning hard, and “derma” meaning skin. Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease. The disease has been called “progressive systemic sclerosis,” but the use of that term has been discouraged since it has been found that scleroderma is not necessarily progressive. The disease may take several forms which will be explained later. There is also much variability among patients.

What scleroderma is not

Scleroderma is not contagious, it is not infectious, it is not cancerous or malignant.

People interested in walking for this cause can call Carole Berg, Duluth support group leader, at (218) 721-3940 or e-mail her at caroleberg56@yahoo.com.

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