CDMRP Scleroderma Research Program Now Accepting Grant Applications

The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) has been a highly effective program of the Department of Defense Health Program for many years. Thanks to the passionate advocacy of dedicated individuals in the scleroderma community, there is $5 million in funding set aside exclusively for scleroderma research in two categories: Idea Development and Translational Research Partnership. The Foundation will communicate program and application details and deadlines directly to scleroderma scientists. Information is also at the link below.

GRANTS.GOV

Kimberly Showalter, M.D., M.S.

2021 Research Grant Awards

The Scleroderma Foundation awards research grants in two categories, Established Investigator, to provide an opportunity to pursue innovative ideas, and New Investigator, to provide funding to gather sufficient data to warrant funding on a larger scale from the National Institutes of Health.

One of four New Investigator grants was awarded to Kimberly Showalter, M.D., M.S., Hospital for Special Surgery. Her project is titled "Dermal Fibroblast Immunophenotype to Predict Clinical Trajectory in Early and Late Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis." Learn more about this project and the other 2021 research grant recipients on the Foundation's website.

RESEARCH

We Need You!

Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma is a fun and easy way to help raise awareness and funds for the Scleroderma Foundation. You can create a team, join a team, or walk on your own.

Regardless of where you choose to walk, we are one community working together to help “stomp out” scleroderma.

Join us today. More information can be found at national.scleroderma.org/steppingout.

If you don’t see a walk in your area, please continue to check our website for updates or reach out to development@scleroderma.org.

Registration is Open for 2021 Virtual National Scleroderma Conference

Connect and Thrive Together, July 17 & 18, 2021

You can now register online for the virtual 2021 National Scleroderma Conference. There are three categories:

• Person Living with Scleroderma $30
• General Admission $50
• Business/Academia $125

Caregivers and spouses/partners should register as General Admission.

To make the online experience a great one, the Foundation contracted with an experienced online event platform, HUBB. You will enter a virtual lobby as if you were in a hotel, and there will be meeting rooms and more, all with the idea of making the online experience simple so you can focus on the educational experience and the opportunity to connect with others who have scleroderma.

REGISTER

Apply for a Conference Scholarship

Thanks to the generous support of many donors and chapters, conference scholarships have made it possible for hundreds of individuals affected by scleroderma to attend conference over the years. Scholarship recipients receive one full virtual conference registration pass. Available only to adults living with scleroderma, who are residents of the United States, scholarship applications are limited to one per family. Application criteria:

• Financial need
• Thoroughness and thoughtfulness of answers to the application questions.
• Consideration is given to applicants actively involved in Scleroderma Foundation activities.
• Priority is given to applicants attending their first Scleroderma Foundation conference.

APPLICATION DEADLINE is Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

APPLY

Meet the Experts: Going Virtual with Patients and Families

ZOOM: Saturday, May 15, 2021, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) Public Advisory Roundtable (PAR) is pleased to invite you to its 15th annual free patient and family forum. This year's talk will focus on patients and families and how they navigate health care access in a post-pandemic world. The panel includes Jaspal Singh, M.D., Samantha Connolly, Ph.D., Justin Ortiz, M.D., Neeta Thakur, M.D., Charles A. Powell, M.D., and DorAnne Donesky, Ph.D. This live virtual patient education event is being held in conjunction with the ATS 2021 International Conference. Morning talks will go from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time. Afternoon breakouts will go from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

REGISTER

Showcase Your Business at Conference

Do you work for a company or nonprofit striving to help people living with scleroderma? You're invited to showcase your organization's programs, products, or services at the 2021 National Scleroderma Conference, "Connect and Thrive Together." This all-virtual event is July 17-18, 2021, attracting hundreds of people living with scleroderma, their family members and caregivers, and the world's leading scleroderma healthcare professionals and researchers. Visit the exhibitor page on the Conference website today to learn how to claim your virtual booth in the exhibit hall!

EXHIBITORS

Working from Home with Ticket to Work

WEBINAR: Wed., May 26, 2021, 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

The May WISE (Work Incentive Seminar Event) webinar will highlight resources that can help Ticketholders make the decision to work, find jobs, and succeed while working from home. Specifically, the webinar will cover:

• How the Ticket Program can support Ticketholders as they work from home
• Advice for succeeding while working from home
• Services and supports offered by Ticket Program service providers

CHOOSEWORK

What Is Risk Assessment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Risk assessment is an important tool in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Check out this detailed PAH topic center on myPHteam to learn what to be on the lookout for and learn more

myPHteam

COVID‑19 Information & Recommendations

Updated April 28, 2021

Please note an update to vaccine guidance. You should not receive any other vaccine 14 days prior to receiving your first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The American College of Rheumatology released clinical guidance on the COVID-19 vaccines. This information is available on the ACR website and has been added to the Foundation's website. Additional information and frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccines have been addressed by the Scleroderma Foundation's Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, to be used in consultation with your rheumatologist or other health care provider.

These guidelines, along with more information and recommendations for individuals affected by scleroderma about COVID-19 are posted at scleroderma.org/covid19. Please check this page from time to time for updates.

COVID‑19

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