- Sore or swollen fingers
- Raynaud's phenomenon; a condition where fingers and toes change colour with temperature changes, stress or anxiety
- Reflux or heartburn
June is Scleroderma Awareness Month
Throughout June we raise awareness of scleroderma across the media and the general public to help increase understanding, highlight symptoms to look out for and try to make it part of a national conversation. We do this with your help and by telling your stories.
Scleroderma is a complex, little-known and often poorly-understood condition, that affects different people in different ways. There are currently around 19,000 people in the UK who are living with scleroderma, with 1,300 people newly-diagnosed every year. SRUK provide support and information through our online programme of support, our printed publications, the Helpline and our annual conference. We encourage conversations, ask questions and advocate on your behalf.
We are the only UK charity funding essential scientific research into scleroderma and Raynaud’s to improve diagnosis, treatments and quality of life. Our goal is to improve the lives of everyone within our community and ultimately to find a cure. Our research strategy guides the projects we fund and ensures everything we do is shaped by what is best for our community. Find out more here
Scleroderma - know the symptoms
More than 25% of people with scleroderma in the UK have waited three years or more before receiving an accurate diagnosis. The following three symptoms may indicate scleroderma, so if you recognise all of these, it is important to book an appointment with your GP:
Get Involved this June - we can't do it without you!
Help us spread the word, you can share your own story or share our social media posts to keep the conversations going. You can also join our walk or organise your own fundraising event to keep our work going.
The SRUK Walk is your walk, your way. Whether it's 10 steps at home, 10 miles in your local park, on your own or with a group - help us reach our £19,000 target to fund vital support, information and research.
June Webinars
We have two interesting webinars for you
9th June: ‘The role of physical activity in managing fatigue in people with Scleroderma’, with Will Gregory, 3pm – 4pm
This webinar looked at appropriate exercise/activity to maintain and improve stamina, strength and flexibility. It is essential that the muscles are as efficient as possible to reduce strain on the heart and lungs. There were tips on exercising safely, as well as accessing online exercise resources, adapting your exercises, managing fatigue and pacing.
You can watch it on our YouTube Channel
21st June: ‘Living well with fatigue in people with Scleroderma’, with Lucy Reeve, 11am – 12pm
This webinar explored the influence of fatigue on peoples’ daily lives and how to use pacing, planning, prioritising and problem solving to manage daily activities more efficiently. Lucy also discussed how to adapt your environment to ensure it is helping you rather than hindering you.
Remember a loved one and raise awareness
Share a special message on our Scleroderma Awareness Month dedication page. Every memory shared helps continue the fight in raising awareness about scleroderma.
SRUK latest news
See all newsFriday 14th January 2022
Bring on the good days
Are you having a good day? How we spend our time can have a significant impact on how we feel. We talked to occupational therapist Lucy Reeve about some of the small changes that could make a big difference to our wellbeing and help make every day a little bit better.
Friday 31st December 2021
Fast-forward to 2040: What does the future hold for Scleroderma?
As we come to the end of 2021, SRUK have been thinking about the new year, and the one after that… and the one after that. In just 12 months, we have seen huge change across the world, which got us thinking, what could things look like in 20 years?
Thursday 16th December 2021
A Gut Feeling: The Microbiome and Scleroderma
At the 2021 SRUK Virtual Conference Dr Elizabeth Volkmann presented a very popular session on Understanding Gastrointestinal Involvement in Scleroderma – where she introduced the concept of how a person’s microbiome might influence their condition. This article takes a deeper dive into the world of the microbiome.