News
Oregon Chapter Members Featured on AM Northwest!
Oregon Chapter President Christina Fidalgo and Salem support group co-leader Diane McAuley were featured on KATU-TV Channel 2's morning news program AM Northwest on June 6, 2019! They were interviewed for our June scleroderma awareness campaign, and also to promote our 14th Annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma benefit walk.
Thank you so much KATU and AM Northwest for continuing to help us spread awareness about scleroderma!!
Oregon Chapter in the Media Spotlight 2017
* June 21, 2017, Portland KATU-TV Channel 2, "AM Northwest" Oregon Chapter Vice President Christina Fidalgo and board member Richard Bates talk about scleroderma, their own stories, and the Oregon Chapter's 12th Annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma benefit walk in Happy Valley.
* June 26, 2017, Portland KGW-TV Channel 8, "Portland Today" Oregon Chapter board member Maria Rivelli and rheumatologist Dr. Lauren Kim raise awareness of scleroderma and promote our upcoming benefit walk.
Oregon Chapter in the Media Spotlight 2016
* July 6, 2016, Clackamas Review, "Happy Valley walk to benefit scleroderma sufferers" Oregon Chapter members Caroline Edwinson, Maria Rivelli, and Tom Draper share their scleroderma stories, and the upcoming Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma benefit walk.
* June 23, 2016, Portland KATU-TV Channel 2, "AM Northwest" Oregon Chapter members Diane Peters, Bonnie Allen, and board member Liz Orem-Bedel discuss living with scleoderma and our Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma walk.
Oregon Chapter in the Media Spotlight 2015
* July 2015, Happy Valley Monthly, "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" short article featuring Oregon Chapter Vice President Maria Rivelli and our annual benefit walk.
* June 29, 2015, Portland KATU-TV Channel 2, "AM Northwest" Local rheumatologist Dr. Lauren Kim, and Oregon Chapter members Jessica Lay and Natasha Dawson are interviewed on live morning news program for scleroderma awareness and upcoming benefit walk fundraiser.
* March 6, 2015, KBOO Community Radio, "Radiozine" Live radio interview featuring Oregon Chapter President Denise Bates, about scleroderma awareness and Cheri Woo Scleroderma Education Seminar
Oregon Chapter in the Media Spotlight 2014
* Nov. 17 & 20, 2014, The Columbian, “Vancouver 12-year-old battling scleroderma” feature health section article & color photos, later updated with 4.5-minute video in largest newspaper in SW Washington.
* July 8, 2014, The Oregonian, “Scleroderma is not rare enough. Join 'Stepping Out to Cure' benefit walk on July 12.” feature article profiling four local people living with the autoimmune disease.
* June 16, 2014, Portland KATU-TV Channel 2, "AM Northwest," Oregon Chapter President Denise Bates, and chapter members Cynthia June Hicks and Lindsey Gent are interviewed for Scleroderma awareness campaign on live television broadcast.
* March 12, 2014, Scleroderma Awareness Day Proclamation read by Mayor Charlie Hales at Portland City Council, and public testimony by Foundation members living with the disease.
* March 7, 2014, The Oregonian, “SW Portland woman with rare disease: Scleroderma 'feels like your skin is shrinking' ” feature article and photograph profiling group president, the disease, and the Foundation's annual free seminar.
City of Portland Issues Scleroderma Education & Awareness Day Proclamation
Mayor Charlie Hales has officially proclaimed March 8, 2014 -- the day of our spring education seminar -- as the Cheri Woo Scleroderma Education & Awareness Day in the City of Portland.
This high civic honor recognizes the efforts of the Oregon Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation and the late Cheri Woo, founder of the annual free education seminar which now bears her name, at providing decades of support and assistance to our community and raising awareness of this rare autoimmune disease.
The proclamation reads, in part, "whereas the nonprofit Portland-based Oregon Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation and its predecessor organizations have tirelessly served the interests of the state and SW Washington residents living with Scleroderma and the related health care community since 1981 with special events, educational series, and its all-important regularly scheduled support groups."
It goes on to include, "whereas long-time Portland resident Cheri J. Woo, who died in 2007 after a long struggle with Scleroderma and cancer, served the Oregon Scleroderma chapter with distinction for more than a decade as a board officer, awareness advocate, fundraising specialist, patient supporter, and education promoter. Cheri founded the chapter's free spring education seminar, the event which now carries her name, in 2001."
The new city document concludes, "Now, therefore, I, Charlie Hales, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, do hereby proclaim Saturday, March 8, 2014 to be CHERI WOO SCLERODERMA EDUCATION & AWARENESS DAY In Portland, Oregon and encourage all residents and citizens to join in this observance.
Click here to see the entire official document!
Donna Stone Named 2013 Support Group Volunteer of the Year!
Oregon Support Group Leader Donna Stone is honored by Scleroderma Foundation CEO Robert J. Riggs in Atlanta.
Oregon Chapter in the Media Spotlight 2013
August 16, The Columbian, “Ridgefield woman nationally lauded for scleroderma work,” article and photographs about chapter officer Donna Stone and her efforts on disease awareness. Also posted by national Foundation's Facebook account.
July 22, The Oregonian, "Happy Valley's Scleroderma walk brings in $24,000 to fight rare disease," article and photo on results from the chapter's largest-ever fundraising and awareness-building event, which earned more than twice as much revenue than the previous year. More than 250 views on state foundation's Facebook page.
July 11, The Oregonian, “Sclero-what? Happy Valley walk to raise funds for rare disease,” feature article and photographs profiling chapter member Maria Rivelli, her challenges and the benefit walk she organized. More than 3,500 views on state and national Scleroderma Foundation's Facebook page.
July 1, “AM Northwest,” Portland KATU-TV Channel 2, Scleroderma Foundation members interviewed for awareness and fund-raising campaign on live morning broadcast. More than 335 views on state and national Scleroderma Foundation's Facebook page.
May 22, Portland NBC-TV Channel 8 KGW, “Former Southern Oregon athlete fighting rare disease” feature interview and profile segment. More than 340 views on state and national Scleroderma Foundation's Facebook page.
March 21, The Oregonian, “Oregon Scleroderma Chapter Benefits from Special Coffee by Badbeard's Microroastery LLC.” More than 450 views on state Scleroderma Foundation's Facebook page, and a feature post in The Voice, the national foundation's quarterly magazine.
March 7, Tigard (OR) Tribune, “Body of Stone: Tigard man turns to stem cell treatment to battle disease that twisted up his life.” Front page article and photographs. More than 8,700 views on state and national Scleroderma Foundation's Facebook page.
February 26, The Oregonian, “Scleroderma? Yes, I know a little about it.” Feature commentary in advance of spring education seminar. More than 481 views on state foundation's Facebook page.
Portland Microroaster Created New Coffee Line to Benefit Oregon Scleroderma Chapter
(Portland,
OR., December 10, 2012) – The Oregon Chapter of the Scleroderma
Foundation is now the beneficiary of a special and dedicated line of
coffee products offered by Badbeard's Microroastery LLC of Portland. For
every pound purchased of the special project coffee, this boutique
coffee roaster will donate $4 directly to the chapter.
Director of Scleroderma Center at
Stanford University is Keynote Speaker for Free Oregon Education Seminar
March
9, 2013
(Portland, OR., November 27, 2012) – Dr. Lorinda
Chung, MD, MS -- Director of the Scleroderma Center and Co-Director of the
Multidisciplinary Rheumatologic Dermatology Clinic at the Stanford University
School of Medicine -- will be the keynote speaker at the 12th Annual
Cheri Woo Scleroderma Education Seminar scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 2013
at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center in Tualatin.
The free seminar is annually hosted by the patient support group of the Oregon Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation. The topic of Dr. Chung's presentation is Skin Manifestations in Scleroderma.
Dr. Chung is an Assistant Professor of Medicine (Immunology and Rheumatology) and Dermatology, and actively involved in clinical, translational, and epidemiologic research on systemic sclerosis and related connective tissue diseases. She is the principal investigator for multiple clinical trials of new potential therapies for scleroderma patients.
The annual event – the largest scleroderma education seminar in Oregon and southwest Washington – is named in honor of its founder Cheri J. Woo, who died in 2007 after a long struggle with scleroderma and cancer. Cheri served the Oregon Scleroderma chapter with distinction for more than a decade as a board officer, awareness advocate, fund-raising specialist, patient supporter, and education promoter. She began the first chapter education seminar in 2001.
Please save the date for this day-long seminar. Two other speakers will be announced in the near future.
Audience Q&A with each speaker is a regular highpoint of the annual seminar, an opportunity for attendees to raise specific questions and personally engage with the presenting health care experts.
Lunch and light breakfast will be provided at no cost to all seminar attendees.
Million Penny Drive to Benefit the Oregon Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation Starts Now!
(
Portland, OR., November 16, 2012)
– We
want to collect at least one million pennies between now and July 2013 in time
for the chapter's 8th Annual "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" walk.
This is a great way to raise money by painlessly setting aside your pennies and
loose change for our mission of support, education and research for people
living with this chronic autoimmune disease.
In the next few weeks we will have more information on locations to drop off
your pennies. You can also drop off your pennies at our free support group
meetings prior to July scheduled for 10am on the second Saturdays this upcoming
January, April and May at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital (Wistar Morris Room,
1st floor) in Portland.
And you may wish to hold on to your pennies until next July. We're planning a
big photo-op at the Walk, so the more the merrier!
A little adds up to a lot, perhaps as much as $10,000. The Million Penny Drive
is a great way to involve the entire family, your friends and business partners
in another important fundraiser for our chapter, along with the Spring Plant
Sale and Stepping Out to Cure Walk.
Please start now and do your part to help us raise One Million Pennies. Thank
You!
Thanks
to Everyone who Made the Oregon Chapter's 6th Annual "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" Walk
in Portland on July 30 a Great Success!
10th
Annual Cheri Woo Education Seminar Draws Dozens to Daylong Event
Hand Therapist Jean Takaesu OTR/L, CHT (left) and Alice Anson of Portland make time for one-on-one discussion during the 10th Annual Cheri Woo Education Seminar on March 12 at the Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, WA. More than 60 people attended the free daylong event hosted by the Oregon Chapter's Support Group, which included a keynote scleroderma overview by Dr. Lauren Kim MD, in addition to presentations by Takaesu, Licensed Psychologist Dr. Kathy J. Marshack and Social Security Administration Technical Expert Diane Nerton. The annual spring event is named for the seminar's late founder and chapter activist Cheri Woo. (Janine Wong photo).
2010 Newsletters May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 August 2010 Jan 2010 Feb 2010 March 2010 April 2010
Awareness Meeting with US Congressman Earl Blumenauer
Oregon Chapter members Maria Rivelli (left) & Fay Maushard met with US Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-3rd) on Sept. 2, 2010 at his Portland office. They discussed awareness issues as the Congressman declared his intention to co-sponsor the pending Scleroderma Research & Awareness Act.
Click for video of
Blumenauer's support
Click for photo album of
awareness meeting
Oregon Chapter Hosts 5th "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" Walk
The 5th annual "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" walk on July 10, 2010 benefited the Oregon Chapter of the national Scleroderma Foundation in its efforts to raise awareness, support patients and fund research for this chronic autoimmune disease. The event included food and family activities (Blaze the Trail Cat, the official mascot of the Portland Trail Blazers attended) at The Multnomah Art Center, the Walk-A-Thon’s start and finish, in addition to the 2-8 mile-walk through lovely southwest side Gabriel Park.
Raising Awareness on Portland KATU TV Channel 2's "AM Northwest"
Portland KATU TV Channel 2's "AM Northwest" live morning program, an award-winning lifestyle, information and entertainment broadcast, featured Oregon chapter members Maria Rivelli, Sue Pinkerton and Erion Moore on July 1, 2010 about living with scleroderma and the 5th annual "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" benefit walk. AM Northwest has been a great benefactor of the Oregon chapter, with four awareness programs in the last five years. (Jim Pinkerton photos)
April 8 Meeting with US Senator Jeff Merkley
The Oregon Chapter's Awareness Team of Fay Maushard, Sue Pinkerton and Erion Moore had a 30-minute private meeting with US Senator Jeff Merkley (Oregon-D) at his Portland office on April 8, 2010. Team members shared their individual stories of living with scleroderma as Sen. Merkley listened intently and asked informed questions to better educate himself and his incredible staff. Team members also requested that Sen. Merkley consider co-sponsoring the pending Senate Bill 1545, the Scleroderma Research and Awareness Act. (photos by Fred Faveluke)
13th Annual Spring Plant Sale
The 13th Annual Plant Sale is the Oregon Chapter's longest running fund-raising and awareness boosting event. The two-day sale a week before Mother's Day (this year May 1 & 2) is always held outdoors at SW 35th and Multnomah Blvd. in Portland, courtesy of the great folks at Keith's Auto.
The 9th Annual Cheri Woo Scleroderma Education Seminar Was a Great Success!
The 9th Annual Cheri Woo Scleroderma Education Seminar was held on March 13, 2010 in Hillsboro, and was a great success! More than 60 people attended the free daylong education seminar at the Tuality Health Education Center. The presenters included Catherine J. Markin, M.D., Anna A. Bar, M.D., and Justin Elson, D.M.D.
Keynote Presentation by Dr. Catherine J. Markin, M.D. (PDF)
Meeting with Portland Mayor for Awareness
Oregon Chapter President Liz Orem-Bedel (right) and member Fay Maushard met with Portland Mayor Sam Adams on March 1, 2010 at City Hall to raise scleroderma awareness and discuss the concerns of everyone living with the disease. Mayor Adams was generous with his time and genuinely interested in what Liz and Fay had to say about scleroderma and their personal stories.
Having Fun at the Portland Women's Fair Spreading Awareness
