Ronald Reagan

“ Nevertheless, there is ample reason for hope because the outlook for victims of scleroderma has improved significantly in recent years. Previously, the chances of survival were slim when scleroderma attacked the kidneys. But this is no longer the case. Medical researchers have discovered in the past few years that aggressive treatment with newly-developed anti-hypertensive drugs can lower blood pressure, improve kidney function, and dramatically save lives. ”

“ I urge the people of the United States and educational, philanthropic, biomedical research, and health care organizations to continue their diligent and valuable efforts to discover the cause and cure of scleroderma in order to alleviate the suffering of all persons afflicted by this disorder. ”

“ Scleroderma is a painful and debilitating connective tissue disorder that causes hardening of the skin and can also affect several internal organs of the body. Although it can begin at any age, it usually afflicts people in their productive years. Several thousand middle-aged Americans-women more than men-have scleroderma.
In the more serious systemic form, scleroderma can not only affect the skin, joints, and muscles but also strike the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, heart, or kidneys. ”