Scleroderma New Zealand Incorporated

Scleroderma NZ is a newly incorporated society that became incorporated in 2015.

Scleroderma NZ Inc helps support patients and families with this rare and difficult disease. There are approx 1,000 patients in New Zealand with this condition.

Scleroderma is a chronic, autoimmune, connective tissue disease. It effects patients skin, major organs like their heart, lungs, kidney, liver, gastrointestinal tract and their vascular system. It can be very disabling in some patients, depending on the severity.

The organs become fibrosed and unable to function properly and some people are in considerable pain.

Some patients will require home help, for many tasks around the home. All patients must keep their home environment warm during the winter, as well as keeping their core warm, to help slow progression of this disease. This comes at a considerable cost and may be very difficult for some patients if they are unable to work.

Many General Practitioners have not had experience with this disease and Scleroderma NZ aims to help promote knowledge among our medical professionals and patients, by supplying them with educational booklets and hospital checklists for special requirements.

We need help with finance for the printing of the booklets, educational speakers for seminars and meetings throughout the country and for aids like warm gloves, hats, special beds if required.

The purposes of the Scleroderma NZ are to support, friendship, education, awareness, advocacy, lobbying, prevention, research and assistance with health care for people, their families and communities with Scleroderma (Systematic Sclerosis) and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease.