Raynauds Scleroderma Global Patients: 29th June World Scleroderma Day 2017. Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017. Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease.

29th June, World Scleroderma Day 2017

June Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017

Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease

29^th June World Scleroderma Day 2017

29^th June, is World Scleroderma Day.

This is OUR opportunity to showcase the rare disease, scleroderma, to the World- in the hope to raise awareness, in all of its guises.

Whether it be awareness for fundraising purposes for investment in research, for that oh so desired cause and cure, or, awareness, for education purposes.

This is OUR day to put the spotlight on the rare disease which we live with, 365 days of the year, with no holiday break from it. With hope and pain, as our constant companions.

Thanks to USA patient Sharon Esposito

Why 29^th June?

The actual date, 29^th June, commemorates the date when the gifted Swiss-German artist, Paul Klee (1879 – 1940) died. It is thought that it was not until 10 years after his death, that Klee was diagnosed with diffuse systemic sclerosis.

I discussed this in more detail in a previous article, here

June Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017 Patient Profiles and Research Campaign

This year my June Scleroderma Awareness Month campaign has been focussed on Patient Profiles, Index.

Including patients from all over the world, highlighting the best practice and management of the scleroderma patient, along with the current unmet clinical needs.

I have combined these requirements with the current medical research focus for such, and I will be providing an overall outcome in due course.

DAY 29, World Scleroderma Day, I focussed on the extremely brave USA child patient, Wyatt the Warrior.

However, the main golden hallmarks for best practice, regardless of the location are:

Early Diagnosis

Expert Specialist Centres

Access to innovative medicines

These golden hallmarks run parallel to medical research being at the nucleus for optimum management and prevention.

By understanding the biological processes as to why the immune response is triggered in the first instance, for the body to then manifest such symptoms, will most certainly reduce the life time burden this disease brings.

Financial investment in medical research, along with global collaboration of progress in understanding is paramount.

The launch of the Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders (JSRD), at the 4^th Systemic Sclerosis Congress, last year, is a most welcome advancement in the sharing of scientific data and understanding.

The contents of the Journal, as by the current 5 Issues, show the current clinical research areas of focus for the entire, holistic, scleroderma experience.

The 5^th Systemic Sclerosis World Congress, is due to take place Feb 15 – 17 2018 in Bordeaux, France next year, where the most up to date research data will be presented.

WORLD SCLERODERMA DAY 2017

Similar to last year, there are numerous events being held worldwide, varying from ‘out and about’ walk in the park activities, to virtual walk social media participation.

Our friends over in Canada continue to set the bar high, for the rest of the world, with their scleroderma awareness raising.

As again, this year, they are lighting Niagara Falls in blue and the Peace Bridge in teal.

If you can not experience this in person, you can watch it live via the Scleroderma Canada Facebook Page

Although not nearly as thrilling as seeing the Niagara Falls, I will be presenting live on the Scleroderma News Facebook Page.

Please comment below if there are any topics in particular, which you would like me to discuss.

The Scleroderma Unit, The Royal Free Hospital, London

Long term diffuse systemic sclerosis patient Lyn is holding her debut book launch. I am very excited for Lyn, as I am sure you are.

WORLD SCLERODERMA DAY 2016

Last year, 2016, saw a very busy 29^th June World Scleroderma Day with activities and events taking place all over the world, as well as, a very busy June Scleroderma Awareness Month 2016.

WORLD SCLERODERMA DAY 2015

I had the pleasure of being a presenter and part of the European co-hort who gave a presentation at the European Parliament, Brussels, in honour of World Scleroderma Day 2015.

I am immensely grateful to James Carver MEP for organizing this event in memory of his late wife Carmen, who sadly passed from Scleroderma.

To view the presentation, Click here

I had not been abroad for over a decade prior to this trip, and my 7 week bed rest following the trip, was a harsh reminder as to why I had not been away for so long!!

However the experience remains one of my few patient highlights of the last 20 years.

Wishing you a very happy and most blessed 29^th June World Scleroderma Day.

To read more about why I chose ‘Patient Profiling and Research’ as the focus of my 2017 campaign, Click here

Why Research and Patient Profiles? Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017, Raynaud's, Rare Autoimmune Disease, Click here

2017 INDEX Scleroderma Awareness Campaign Patient Profiles, Click here

INDEX to Scleroderma Awareness 2016 Campaign, Click here

An edited version of this article was published here, in my Column with Scleroderma News.

June 2017.
To read my articles:

Rare Disease Day 2018, Research - Taking Part in Clinical Trials, Click here

March Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month 2018, Click here

Global patient video, Click here

Becoming a Patient Research Ambassador for the NIHR, Click here

If we only had more RESEARCH investment for Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease, Click here

Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017 Patient Profiles Campaign, Click here

Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017 Patient Profiles Campaign Patient Index, Click here

The Pandora’s Box of the rare autoimmune disease Scleroderma, Raynaud's and Cancer, Click here

Key Event Dates 2018, Click here

Importance of an Early Diagnosis, Click here

Taking Part in Clinical Research Trials, Click here

The Importance of a Multi Disciplinary Medical ‘Dream Team’, Click here

Expert Specialist Centres, Click here

My Skin is Cured from Scleroderma, Click here

UK Guidelines for Managing and Treating Scleroderma, Click here

Fatigue, Click here

Mobility, Click here

Diet and nutrition, Click here

Raynaud's, Click here

World Scleroderma Day 29^th June 2016, Click here

World Scleroderma Day 29^th June 2017, Click here

Why Global Collaboration is important to the Rare Disease Patient, Click here

RARE DISEASE DAY:

The theme to this years Rare Disease Day is Research

Rare Disease Day 2018 – Research, Taking Part in Clinical Trials. Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease, Click here

2016 Rare Disease Day Patient Voice

2016 Rare Disease UK Parliamentary Reception

2017 Rare Disease Day Flashback

2017 Rare Disease Day unmet clinical needs to the scleroderma patient

Rare Disease Day is a fantastic opportunity for the entire rare disease community to shine a spotlight on their reality, combining as one unified voice. Where, at least one commonality presides –

Medical Research provides the brightest light

for the illumination of the rare disease patients’ plight.

I highlighted other areas of medical research interest within Week 3 of my Patient Profiles Campaign for Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017.

VIDEO

INDEX

Although rare disease patients are few in number, eg. 2.5 million scleroderma patients worldwide, (the World Scleroderma Foundation), the commonalities and golden hallmark for each rare disease patient are the same:

Early Diagnosis

Expert Specialist Centres

Access to Innovative Medicines

Where MEDICAL RESEARCH investment is VITAL.

Research is the key. Abstracts from 2016 World Congress, Click here

Scleroderma Awareness Month Campaign 2016, Click here

Links

View video, here

Preamble - here

The Family Day at the Scleroderma Unit, The Royal Free Hospital is taking place on the 19^th May 2018. Browse the program, here

This year, I am celebrating 20 years of being a patient at this world leading expert specialist research centre.

Sept 2017

I am eternally grateful to the global scleroderma trail blazers Dame Prof Black and Prof Chris Denton, whose commitment and dedication to unlocking the scleroderma enigma, is nothing other than, superhuman.

I am truly humbled and inspired by their work ethic. I am wholly appreciative for Prof Denton’s continued medical expertise and support, especially during my barrister qualifying years, 1997 - 2004.

1^st March 2004, I qualified as a self employed practising barrister. Further to having been told in 1997, by my diagnosing doctor, that I was looking at a 15month prognosis.

I very much hope to utilise my professional skills and qualifications along with my patient experience, to help achieve the #SclerodermaFreeWorld dream, hoping to improve understanding and best practice, in the meantime.

For latest updates follow: