Scleroderma Australia

Scleroderma Australia is concerned about the cost of dressings for scleroderma patients, many of whom have chronic skin conditions. Therefore the association would like to petition the Federal Government to consider either subsidization or reimbursement for ulcer treatments and dressings. To do this we need more information on the type of dressings patients use, how often you use them and how much it costs you. Please take a few minutes to fill in the following questionnaire so that we can take action on this issue.

Scleroderma - Ulcer Treatment Questionnaire

An interdisciplinary conference for cardiologists, dermatologists, nephrologists, pulmonologists and rheumatologists

Following the successful experience of the 1st World Congress in Florence, the second congress will focus on clinical and translational aspects of Systemic Sclerosis with the aim of updating clinicians involved in the field. Based on the feedback from the participants in the 1st congress, more time will be devoted to areas such as clinical problem solving, young investigator activities and networking between health professionals and patients.

Our nurse, Barbara Gemmell will be speaking at the patient conference.

2nd Systemic Sclerosis Congress

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

The cause of scleroderma is unknown.

Scleroderma affects both sexes, with a female to male ratio of between three and four to one. It can occur at any age although the peak incidence is 40-60 years.

There are estimated to be over 5,000 persons with scleroderma in Australia.

Scleroderma Australia is the national association for people with scleroderma, their families and friends. It was formed by joining together existing state organisations who shared a vision for elevating the cause of scleroderma sufferers in Australia - "together we are stronger." Scleroderma Australia is not-for-profit and funded by member states, individual and corporate donations.

Scleroderma Australia exists to:

• promote scleroderma awareness on a National basis
• disseminate information about scleroderma
• fund and coordinate scleroderma research on a National basis
• advocate for improved and ongoing support for scleroderma patients

Scleroderma Australia provides:

• Educational seminars and information for patients
• State-based support groups
• Support for scleroderma research
• Website with news and information
• Centralised message bank, 02 9990 5159 (Calls usually returned within 24 hours)
• Annual National awareness campaign

Scleroderma Australia attends national and international conferences and is networked to other international scleroderma associations.

To raise awareness about the condition, Scleroderma Australia has adopted the sunflower as the national icon. The sunflower is symbolic, as, like the sunflower which turns towards the sun for warmth, people with scleroderma are usually more comfortable in warmer weather.