“This August marks 10 years since I was diagnosed with scleroderma,” says Anna K. (dx 2016). As part of Scleroderma Awareness Month, Anna launched an online fundraiser, turning a personal milestone into an opportunity to give back. “I’m doing this inn honor of the research that has made such a difference in my life,” she says.
“I’m honored to be participating in the #SayScleroderma campaign to raise awareness and help shine a light on the experiences of people living with scleroderma, including my own,” Anna says.
For Anna, raising awareness also means being open about what her journey with scleroderma actually looks like. “Living with an invisible illness isn’t always easy, and many of the challenges happen behind the scenes,” she describes. “My hope is that by sharing my journey, I can help others feel seen, remind them they aren’t alone, and inspire hope that even in the face of uncertainty, it’s possible to continue living a full and meaningful life.”
Anna credits research directly for the decade she’s had since her diagnosis. “Because of previous research, I have access to treatments that have allowed me to continue thriving over the past decade. I’m grateful for how far we’ve come, and I want to help ensure that research continues so even better treatments — and one day, a cure — become a reality.” Ten years in, Anna’s story is proof of what research makes possible, and a reminder of why it must continue.
Thank you, Anna, for sharing your journey and for turning this milestone into hope for others. We’re grateful for your generosity and for everything you do to help make a cure possible. Learn how you could host a fundraiser to support scleroderma research below.
