Proclamation: Scleroderma Awareness Month

WHEREAS, Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease in which the body’s soft tissues suffer from an overproduction of collagen affecting many parts of the body including skin, internal organs, and blood vessels; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma sufferers often experience damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal system; and

WHEREAS, Many sufferers develop pulmonary hypertension resulting of constriction of blood vessels; and

WHEREAS, African Americans are more susceptible to systemic scleroderma; and

WHEREAS, Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause or causes of scleroderma but have found links between scleroderma and rheumatic disease; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma, 80 percent of those are women; and

WHEREAS, The estimated total economic impact of scleroderma treatment is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, The morbidity cost associated with scleroderma is an estimated $819,000,000 annually; and

WHEREAS, The direct cost of treatment for scleroderma is estimated to be $462,000,000 annually; and

WHEREAS, There is a significant need for further research focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma to increase understanding of the causes of the disease and its treatment; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress has recognized the need to raise awareness of the impact of scleroderma on public health and has designated a National Scleroderma Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, The designation of such a month would recognize the efforts of health care providers, patients, and scleroderma advocacy organizations to increase awareness of scleroderma and of the need for increased research on scleroderma; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Maher Maso, Mayor of the City of Frisco, Texas do hereby proclaim June 2010 as:

”SCLERODERMA AWARENESS MONTH”