MP backs World Scleroderma Awareness Day

Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning met campaigners outside Parliament to give his backing to World Scleroderma Awareness Day last month. The group was led by local resident, Louise Cecil, who is head of fundraising for the Scleroderma Society.

Scleroderma is one of the more uncommon of the connective tissue diseases. The systemic form can affect the connective tissue of the joints, tendons, muscles, skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and many other organs.

The cause is not known and although there is no cure, there are treatments to slow down progression.

The Scleroderma Society UK supports people with scleroderma and their carers. More information is available on www.sclerodermasociety.co.uk.

To help promote awareness of scleroderma, the Scleroderma Society UK arranged to visit various people and places in central London, taking decorated rickshaws around the capital and distributing early diagnosis cards.

Mike said:
“I was pleased to be able to meet with local campaigners as they arrived with their rickshaws at the House of Commons. I am delighted to support the campaign to raise awareness of scleroderma and urge anyone who wants further information to visit their website or contact the society.”

Louise Cecil said:
“People with the illness may not look particularly unwell, I would describe it as being a ’hidden’ illness which makes awareness of it even more complex as it can be extremely serious and life-threatening. Although it is relatively rare, anyone may have scleroderma and until you have it or know someone with it you cannot possibly imagine how debilitating it can be.

“We would like to thank Mike Penning and all the other MPs who met with us at World Scleroderma Awareness Day – and look forward to 2012 when we will be promoting the Scleroderma Society’s 30th Anniversary which was conceived by Prof. Dame Carol Black in 1982. Please visit our website.”