A Mother's Day Gift of Hope for Scleroderma; Son's Athleticism Raises Awareness and Funds for Little-Known Disease.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers BYFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2004 This Mother's Day, Terry Twitchell of Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, city (1990 pop. 173,072), seat of Allen co., NE Ind., where the St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers join to form the Maumee River; inc. 1840. It is the second largest city in the state, a major railroad and shipping point, a wholesale and distribution hub, , Ind. isn't giving his mother the usual card and flowers. He isn't taking her out to dinner or buying her chocolates. Instead, Twitchell has devoted the entire month of May to his mother, riding his bike from coast to coast to raise funds for and awareness of scleroderma scleroderma or progressive systemic sclerosis Chronic disease that hardens the skin and fixes it to underlying structures. Swelling and collagen buildup lead to loss of elasticity. The cause is unknown. - a little-known autoimmune disease autoimmune disease, any of a number of abnormal conditions caused when the body produces antibodies to its own substances. In rheumatoid arthritis, a group of antibody molecules called collectively RF, or rheumatoid factor, is complexed to the individual's own gamma from which his mother suffers. "Watching my mother fight the painful complications of scleroderma has been a struggle for me. I want to help alleviate her pain, and it breaks my heart that I can't do anything directly. Being by her side throughout her battle with scleroderma has inspired me to take action. I'm just a regular guy, but I've realized I can do something to help my mother and others with scleroderma by raising awareness Raising awareness is a common phrase advocacy groups use to justify a particular event, brochure or even the entire organization. Raising awareness refers to alerting the general public that a certain issue exists and should be approached the way the group desires. and support for the disease," Twitchell said. Twitchell's ride begins in Oregon on May 1, his parent's anniversary, continues through Mother's Day and ends in Massachusetts on Memorial Day. During his month-long ride, Twitchell will visit more than 30 cities, traveling through the northern part of the country, and log more than 3,000 miles on his bike. Twitchell has already raised more than half of his $10,000 goal and, through a donation made by Cannondale Bicycle Corporation The Cannondale Bicycle Corporation is a major American bicycle manufacturer, headquartered in Bethel, Connecticut USA and manufactured in Bedford, Pennsylvania USA. The company was founded in 1971 by Joe Montgomery to manufacture backpacks and bags for camping and later bicycle , has been outfitted with a brand new bicycle for the ride. Summit City Bicycles, based in Fort Wayne, Ind., has also supported Twitchell in his efforts. Scleroderma - which literally means "hard skin" - is a chronic, often progressive disease in which the body's autoimmune system attacks its own tissues. Scleroderma can lead to the thickening thick·en·ing n. 1. The act or process of making or becoming thick. 2. Material used to thicken: stir in a thickening of flour and water. 3. A thickened part. , tightening and hardening of skin, and in some cases, internal organs. An estimated 300,000 Americans are living with scleroderma, and four out of five sufferers are women, usually diagnosed during their childbearing years. Although medicines can sometimes help treat symptoms, there is no cure for the disease. The Scleroderma Foundation is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. serving the interests of persons with scleroderma. The Foundation's 25 chapters and 150 support groups nationwide help to carry out its three-fold mission of support, education, and research. The Scleroderma Foundation is the leading nonprofit supporter of scleroderma research - funding over $1 million of new grants each year to find the cause and cure of scleroderma. Web site: www.scleroderma.org. Toll-free number: 800-722-HOPE. NOTE TO EDITORS For a picture of Terry Twitchell or a map of his route across the country, please contact Kara Kara (kär`ə), river, c.140 mi (230 km) long, NE European and NW Siberian Russia. It flows N from the N Urals into the Kara Sea, forming part of the traditional border between European and Asian Russia. It is navigable in its lower course. Slater at 212-508-9647 or kslater@makovsky.com. |
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