Second Annual Pittsburgh Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Walk
June is Scleroderma Awareness Month and Pittsburgh will be walking in support of a cure during the second annual Pittsburgh Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma walk. This year’s event will take place Saturday, June 6, at North Strabane Municipal Park’s McClelland Pavilion, bringing together local patients, families and supporters for a day of community, awareness and fundraising.
Hundreds of participants in bright teal shirts are expected to walk the park’s scenic route while raising funds and visibility for scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. Organizers aim to build on last year’s strong turnout of more than 200 participants with a goal of raising $35,000.
In addition to the walk, attendees can enjoy music, raffle baskets donated by local businesses and a welcoming atmosphere. Free parking is available, and the event is designed to be accessible for everyone.
“Our first event showed how strong and supportive this community is,” said event chair Caroline Graettinger. “We’re excited to bring even more people together this year — not just to raise funds, but to remind those affected by scleroderma that they’re not alone.”
Scleroderma affects more than 300,000 Americans and can be life-threatening, causing hardening of the skin and damage to internal organs. Events like this local walk play a critical role in raising awareness and funding research, as well as connecting those impacted by the disease.
The Pittsburgh walk is part of a broader effort by the National Scleroderma Foundation’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter, which will host multiple walks across the region this year to support patients and advance research.
ABOUT SCLERODERMA
Scleroderma is a rare rheumatic disease that affects connective tissue and the vascular system causing an overproduction of collagen (fibrosis) in the skin (localized scleroderma), and the internal organs (systemic sclerosis), which can be life-threatening. Anyone can have scleroderma. The cause is not yet known, and there is no cure.
ABOUT NATIONAL SCLERODERMA FOUNDATION
The National Scleroderma Foundation advances medical research, promotes disease awareness, and provides support and education to people with scleroderma, their families and support networks. Supported by a network of thousands of individuals across the United States, the Foundation is the leading nonprofit funder of peer-reviewed research to discover the cause, understand the mechanisms, and overcome scleroderma forever.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3604974-0
