A Message from the President
 
 
We're looking forward to 2019 as we build on the strong foundation set by the vibrant Texas scleroderma community in 2018.  Before moving into 2019 events, let's quickly look at what we accomplished in the second half of 2018.  
 
We held five fundraising events throughout Texas raising over $11,000:
  • August - Fish City Grill fundraiser in Lake Highlands (Dallas)
  • September - Painting with a Purpose fundraiser in San Antonio
  • September - December - Funds2Orgs Shoe Drive fundraiser in multiple Texas cities 
  • October - DFW 11th Annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma - in Dallas/Fort Worth
  • November - Fish City Grill fundraiser in S
    outhlake (near Fort Worth)
Whether you walk in one of our "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma " walk/runs or you host your own event, you can help the scleroderma community. Help raise awareness about scleroderma and become "Hope Raiser" today. Join a special event or start one of your own!

We are excited to announce a full slate of education, awareness and fundraising events in the first half of 2019:
  • March 2 - Awareness at 2019 Success Conference in College Station
  • March 31 - Awareness at 2019 Siclovia in San Antonio
  • April 27th - Houston 5K Run & Walk
  • May 4 - Houston Patient Education, "Straight Talk: A Patient's Perspective"
  • June - Scleroderma Awareness Month
  • June 1 - San Antonio 5K Fun Run & Walk
  • June 29 - DFW Walk   
  • June 29 - World Scleroderma Day
I know it is going to be an exciting year and cannot wait to see what is ahead for us. 
 
Wishing you all a happy 2019!
Audrey Brouwer 
President  
Scleroderma Foundation -  Texas Bluebonnet Chapter 
We Welcome . . .
We are excited to welcome Misty Rushing as a new Board Director!  Misty is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who spoke at the 2018 National Patient Education Conference in Philadelphia this past July.  Misty hosts a Facebook page on "Scleroderma and Functional Medicine".  Misty is also a Scleroderma patient and a DFW Support Group Leader.
 
Please help us welcome Edna Mackey as our new Office Manager! Edna is the sister of our long time Texas Bluebonnet Chapter Board Director and Treasurer Peggy Brown, so Edna understands Scleroderma from the family perspective.  Edna is the sweet voice your hear when you call the office Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Call her and say HELLO! 

Texas is  
Stepping Out  
to Cure Scleroderma
"Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" is about raising money to help people with scleroderma.  For 20 years, monies raised at Stepping Out have made it possible for the Scleroderma Foundation to provide invaluable SUPPORT and EDUCATION to help individuals and families in the United States affected by scleroderma.  At the same time, the Foundation has funded over $22 million of innovative RESEARCH to discover the cause, understand the mechanisms, and overcome the symptoms of scleroderma.  
DFW Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma  
raised $10,000 

 

We were excited to see such an amazing turnout of walkers and supporters on October 6, 2018 at our new location at Music City Mall.  Raffle prizes were abundant from tickets to local sporting events and amusement parks, to donated gift baskets and many other wonderful prizes.   
 
The DFW Walk will be returning to it's normal month and date on the last weekend of June for 2019!  
Houston 5K Run and Walk
Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma  
on Saturday, April 27th  

Houston 2018 Stepping Out Teams and Participants
 
Chip-timed, certified 5K course - shady, asphalt track.


Bear Creek Park, Pavilion 6
Houston, Texas 77084
GPS: Clay Road and Bear Creek Drive
 
Registration at 7:00 a.m.
Start Time: 7:45 a.m.
 
San Antonio 5K Fun Run and Walk
Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma  
on Saturday, June 1st   

8 a.m. at Woodlawn Lake, San Antonio
Check out our Facebook Event page for more info  
or contact [email protected]  
 
Dallas / Fort Worth
Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma  
on Saturday, June 29th
(World Scleroderma Day)    

8 a.m. at Music City Mall in Lewisville
Check out our Facebook Events page
for the most current information
Patient Education Events
"Straight Talk: A Patient Perspective"   
Saturday, May 4th   
 
at Conroe Regional Medical Center
 
9:00 a.m. Registration, Breakfast and Connect 
10:00 a.m. Sessions Start   
 
Check out our Facebook Events page for the most current information  
 
 
March 20 Deadline
for Scholarship Applications to the
National Patient Education Conference

Conference Scholarship Applications
National Patient Education Conference
July 19-20-21, Chicago, Illinois
Scholarship applications are now being accepted to attend the 2019 National Patient Education Conference. The deadline to apply is
March 20, 2019.
Scholarships are for first-time attendees who have scleroderma, including adults and children, and a parent/caregiver of minor children who have scleroderma.   
Visit   scleroderma.org/conference  for details.
Sign up for   conference e-Alerts.

We would be lost without our volunteers!  Even our Board of Directors are volunteers! 
The Texas Chapter would never be able to provide the patient education, awareness and fundraising events without the help of others willing to serve by offering their time! 

There are more ways to give than by simply donating money.

With many roles to be filled, we ask:   
What are YOUR strengths and talents?  


Whether you are good on the computer and are looking for a few hours here and there to volunteer your time OR you plan on attending one of our events and would like to participate in helping it all come together,
there are ALWAYS opportunities available.

No Support Group in your area?   How about starting one?

Asking "How can I help?"   Please contact our TBC Volunteers Chair, Diane Lee, for a list of opportunities available to you. 
Email Diane at [email protected].

Is Your Annual Membership Current?
Just a reminder on how you can become a member and support the Scleroderma Foundation and the Texas Chapter.  We can't do what we do without your support! 

Your annual dues and any donations can be made  
 
or checks and your Membership/Renewal Application can be mailed to:
TBC-Scleroderma Foundation
110 Cypress Station Dr.  Suite 117
Houston, TX  77090  
Stay Connected
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bluebonnets
Scleroderma Foundation - Texas Bluebonnet Chapter  
Contact us:       
  866-LEARN-SF or  281-880-4992    
       
110 Cypress Station Drive, Suite 117,  Houston, TX  77090
 
Texas Bluebonnet Chapter - Board of Directors
 
Executive Committee
- Audrey Brouwer, Chapter President
- Kathy Baker, VP, Patient Education Program Committee Chair 
- Peggy Brown, Treasurer,  Budget and Finance Committee Chair 
- Diane Lee, Secretary, Volunteers & Vendors Committee Chair 
 
Board Directors
- Misti Chapman, Social Media, Newsletter & Website Committee Chair
- Debbie Charlton, Fundraising  & Development Committee Co-Chair
- Jacob Davila, Public Awareness, Advocacy, & Juvenile Committee Chair
- Jason Delancy,  Budget and Finance Committee
- Jovana Placido, Fundraising & Development Committee Co-Chair
- Misty Rushing, NEW

Other Committee Chairs (non-board members) 
- Emily Woods, Medical Advisory Board Chair and Nomination & Elections Committee Chair 

Office Manager 
- Edna Mackey - NEW