Scleroderma Information » Scleroderma » Newspaper article on SD
Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ilena Rose wrote: > SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (Apr 5, 1997 00:07 a.m. EST) — Dave Langan decided to > raise money to support research of a rare skin disease because his > afflicted mother was transformed from a robust working > woman into someone who can’t get out of bed on some days. > "She can’t even hug me. There’s not enough elasticity in her skin," said > Langan, 20, the youngest of four children and a marketing major at > Slippery Rock University. > So this week, Langan not only set out four plastic buckets to collect > nickels, dimes and quarters for research into a disease called > scleroderma, he’s also sleeping in a tent with other students to > spread the word. > "What I wanted to do is get something going, get people educated and try > to pick up some donations," said Langan, a junior from Mechanicsburg, Pa. > A total of 10 tents donated by Slippery Rock’s outfitters club have sprung > up on the quad, which is the center of campus life for students walking to > and from classes. There were about 25 students > sleeping out the first night, and Langan expected the number to grow. > Langan and his friends set up camp with the blessing of university > officials, and they’re being supported by fraternity and sorority houses. > The money he raises will be turned over to the Scleroderma Research Fund > at the University of Pittsburgh, one of the world’s largest research > facilities trying to find the cause and cure for the > disease. > About 100,000 to 150,000 people in the United States are afflicted with > the disease, which affects connective tissue and is similar to the > debilitations of arthritis, said Dr. Thomas Medsger of the > University of Pittsburgh. > The disease causes the body to produce too much of a material called > collagen, which forms scar tissue to such an extent that the skin hardens. > In some cases, the disease can also affect the heart, > lungs, kidneys and intestines. It can also be fatal about one-third of the time. > Most of those afflicted with scleroderma are women between the ages of 40 > and 60. Among those who have contracted scleroderma is the sister of Bob > Saggett’s, the host of "America’s Funniest Home > Videos." A TV movie called "For Hope" was made about her ordeal. > "Research about the disease is underfunded by the National Institute of > Health. We do depend to a great extent on private donations," said > Medsger, who has been studying scleroderma since 1965. > "It’s a terrible disease," Langan said. "My mom got it about 18 months > ago, and if you looked at pictures of her before, you wouldn’t even > recognize her. She’s in constant pain." > More information is available from the Scleroderma Research Fund at the > University of Pittsburgh, Suite 502, Lilliane Kaufmann Building, 3471 > Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh 15213.
Ilena, What newspaper was this in? Beth G
Response:
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (Apr 5, 1997 00:07 a.m. EST) — Dave Langan decided to raise money to support research of a rare skin disease because his afflicted mother was transformed from a robust working woman into someone who can’t get out of bed on some days. "She can’t even hug me. There’s not enough elasticity in her skin," said Langan, 20, the youngest of four children and a marketing major at Slippery Rock University. So this week, Langan not only set out four plastic buckets to collect nickels, dimes and quarters for research into a disease called scleroderma, he’s also sleeping in a tent with other students to spread the word. "What I wanted to do is get something going, get people educated and try to pick up some donations," said Langan, a junior from Mechanicsburg, Pa. A total of 10 tents donated by Slippery Rock’s outfitters club have sprung up on the quad, which is the center of campus life for students walking to and from classes. There were about 25 students sleeping out the first night, and Langan expected the number to grow. Langan and his friends set up camp with the blessing of university officials, and they’re being supported by fraternity and sorority houses. The money he raises will be turned over to the Scleroderma Research Fund at the University of Pittsburgh, one of the world’s largest research facilities trying to find the cause and cure for the disease. About 100,000 to 150,000 people in the United States are afflicted with the disease, which affects connective tissue and is similar to the debilitations of arthritis, said Dr. Thomas Medsger of the University of Pittsburgh. The disease causes the body to produce too much of a material called collagen, which forms scar tissue to such an extent that the skin hardens. In some cases, the disease can also affect the heart, lungs, kidneys and intestines. It can also be fatal about one-third of the time. Most of those afflicted with scleroderma are women between the ages of 40 and 60. Among those who have contracted scleroderma is the sister of Bob Saggett’s, the host of "America’s Funniest Home Videos." A TV movie called "For Hope" was made about her ordeal. "Research about the disease is underfunded by the National Institute of Health. We do depend to a great extent on private donations," said Medsger, who has been studying scleroderma since 1965. "It’s a terrible disease," Langan said. "My mom got it about 18 months ago, and if you looked at pictures of her before, you wouldn’t even recognize her. She’s in constant pain." More information is available from the Scleroderma Research Fund at the University of Pittsburgh, Suite 502, Lilliane Kaufmann Building, 3471 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh 15213.
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