Scleroderma Society of Ontario

Scleroderma Society of Ontario We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting those living with scleroderma. Join our mailing list!

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/WHo794d/ssomailinglist

Ottawa 2026 Conference:
https://www.sclerodermaconference.ca/

We are pleased to welcome the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG) to our 22nd Bi-Annual National Scleroderma Conf...
06/11/2026

We are pleased to welcome the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG) to our 22nd Bi-Annual National Scleroderma Conference Exhibit Hall!

Founded in 2003, the CSRG is a national network of researchers and healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing scleroderma research and improving patient outcomes across Canada.

Today, the CSRG supports one of the world's leading scleroderma registries, with clinical data and biospecimens from more than 1,600 patients, fostering groundbreaking research and collaboration.

They are excited to connect with patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to discuss the relaunch of CSRG 2.0 and explore new opportunities to advance research, innovation, and patient-centered care in scleroderma.

Would you ignore the signs?Recognizing the early symptoms of scleroderma matters more than you think. Early awareness ca...
06/11/2026

Would you ignore the signs?

Recognizing the early symptoms of scleroderma matters more than you think. Early awareness can lead to faster diagnosis, better treatment options, and improved outcomes.

Don't overlook the signs.

Scleroderma starts small. Awareness shouldn't.

I was diagnosed with Diffuse Systemic Scleroderma in April of 2016, just over ten years ago now.The effects of Scleroderma...
06/09/2026

I was diagnosed with Diffuse Systemic Scleroderma in April of 2016, just over ten years ago now.

The effects of Scleroderma and Raynaud’s has been life altering.

Raynaud’s is constantly with us all day and night and varies with intensity depending on many conditions, like temperature of the weather, how well we are feeling and intensity of stress internally or externally.

There are certain relaxation and stress techniques to help stress like yoga and exercise, which can help some.

I personally have found heated gloves in the winter is a must and I could not be without them. Extra coats, lined pants, wool sweaters and warm hats and boots are also very helpful. I now take extra clothes everywhere, all year, as things can change in a minute. Some of the extra things I use are heated bean bags and electric charged hand warmers.

Someone looking at me would not have any idea that just going in to a grocery store or a
building in the summer can be difficult because of air conditioning.

Raynaud’s is just one of a list of conditions we may have at the same time with Scleroderma.

Ken.

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Marie Hudson as a speaker at the 2026 national scleroderma conference in Ottawa.Dr. Huds...
06/08/2026

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Marie Hudson as a speaker at the 2026 national scleroderma conference in Ottawa.

Dr. Hudson is a rheumatologist and epidemiologist at the Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute, and an Associate professor and Member of the Division of Experimental Medicine in the Department of Medicine at McGill. She pursues research in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). She is a founding member of the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG) which, since 2003, has involved 15 sites across Canada, 20 clinicians and 10 basic scientists, recruited over 1600 patients, secured over $4 million in funds from CIHR, FRSQ, industry and patient organizations, trained over 30 graduate and postdoctoral students and 40 summer students, contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed papers and become an internationally recognized scleroderma research program.

She has worked on a broad range of projects and contributed to landmark papers related to health-related quality of life, classification of disease, measures of disease status, renal crisis, lung disease, clinical correlates of autoantibody profiles, oral health abnormalities and psychosocial health issues in systemic sclerosis. In addition, given the rarity of the disease at hand, she has also established several international collaborations with leading scleroderma experts worldwide (International Scleroderma Renal Crisis Survey, Tri-nation (Canada, Houston, Australia) Scleroderma Cohort and International Systemic Sclerosis Inception Cohort (INSYNC). She currently co-leads the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium (SCTC) Working Group on scleroderma renal crisis. Recently, she has developed new interests in epigenetic signatures and cellular therapies for scleroderma.

We are pleased to introduce Vanessa Cook as a speaker at the 2026 national scleroderma conference in Ottawa.Vanessa is a...
05/21/2026

We are pleased to introduce Vanessa Cook as a speaker at the 2026 national scleroderma conference in Ottawa.

Vanessa is a Toronto-based Naturopathic Medical Graduate and Pilates Instructor with a focus on exercise physiology, women’s health, chronic disease management, and autoimmune care. After being diagnosed with scleroderma herself, Vanessa dedicated years of academic and clinical research to better understanding autoimmune conditions & integrative management strategies. She brings a holistic, evidence-based, and medical perspective to supporting her patients and clients. With an extensive background in rehabilitation exercise and autoimmune conditions, Vanessa integrates mindful movement with clinical insight, bridging lived experience with clinical rigor to support individuals navigating chronic illness.

We are pleased to welcome the Ontario Caregiver Association to our 22nd Bi-Annual National Scleroderma Conference Exhibi...
05/20/2026

We are pleased to welcome the Ontario Caregiver Association to our 22nd Bi-Annual National Scleroderma Conference Exhibit Hall!

If you support someone in your life who needs you, you're not alone. That's why The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) exists. They support Ontario's 4 million caregivers: ordinary people who provide physical and emotional support to a family member, partner, friend, or neighbour.

OCO gives caregivers a single place to find the information, services, supports, and resources to help them feel confident and supported in what they do. And where gaps exist, OCO partners with caregivers, health care providers, and other organizations to find new and innovative ways to build bridges so all caregivers have access to the help they need.

Website: https://ontariocaregiver.ca/
LinkedIn: @ The Ontario Caregiver Organization
Facebook: The Ontario Caregiver Organization
Instagram: @ ontariocaregiver

Make A Move is back! Our biggest fundraiser of the year supports education, research, and patient programs across Canada...
05/09/2026

Make A Move is back! Our biggest fundraiser of the year supports education, research, and patient programs across Canada. Join a local walk, host your own fundraiser, or Make A Move your own way!

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Danielle Rice as a speaker at the 2026 national scleroderma conference in Ottawa.Dr. Ric...
05/08/2026

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Danielle Rice as a speaker at the 2026 national scleroderma conference in Ottawa.

Dr. Rice is a Clinical & Health Psychologist working at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. She is an Assistant Professor at McMaster University. She is also the current chair of the Hamilton Scleroderma Group where she collaborates with people with lived experience, clinicians, and researchers to support integrated care and educational efforts for scleroderma. Her research has included understanding the challenges of caring for a loved one with scleroderma, with the ultimate goal of developing resources to decrease the burden that can be associated with caregiving.

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann as a speaker at the 2026 national scleroderma conference in Ottawa.Dr...
04/30/2026

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann as a speaker at the 2026 national scleroderma conference in Ottawa.
Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann is an Associate Professor in the Division of Rheumatology at University of California, Los Angeles, where she serves as the Director of the UCLA Scleroderma Program and the founder and Co-Director of the UCLA Connective Tissue Disease-Related Interstitial Lung Disease (CTD-ILD) Program. Her research focuses on the discovery of novel biomarkers that predict response to ILD-targeted therapies. She also has an enduring interest in exploring how the gut microbiome contributes to the pathogenesis of ILD and systemic sclerosis. Dr. Volkmann practices Holistic medicine, an approach that addresses the whole person, including psychological, spiritual, ethical, familial and societal, as well as the biological dimensions of disease. Central to her healing philosophy is the recognition of the uniqueness of each patient and the fostering of equality in the doctor-patient partnership. She is also the proud founder of Women in Scleroderma (WINS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women scientists and clinicians working in this field.

Join a walk near you or Move your own way. Sign up now.
03/26/2026

Join a walk near you or Move your own way. Sign up now.

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41 King William Street, Suite 202
Hamilton, ON
L8R1A2

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