Ronald Reagan

“ I urge the people of the United States and educational, philanthropic, biomedical research and health care organizations to work together to discover the cause and cure of scleroderma and other rheumatic diseases and to alleviate the suffering caused by these disorders. ”

“ Advances in medical research and education mean that scleroderma patients can now look forward to the opportunity to live more productive and happy lives. Additional research findings and early treatment and diagnoses are vitally needed if we are to eliminate scleroderma and improve the quality of life for its victims.
To increase awareness of scleroderma, recognize progress, and emphasize the need for a continued effort to defeat this disease, the Congress has, by Senate Joint Resolution 57, designated the week of February 7 through February 13, 1982, as National Scleroderma Week. ”

“ Scleroderma, a disease that causes hardening of the skin, is a serious connective tissue disorder which affects not only the skin, joints and muscles, but certain internal organs of the body as well. Although the disease can occur at any age, it usually affects several thousands of middle-aged Americans during their productive years and is more prevalent among women than men. ”