2 work to form Scleroderma Foundation chapter

Mariann Boyanowski of Canfield and Leni Schulz of Lake Milton are spearheading the formation of the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation.
Boyanowski, who was diagnosed six months ago with scleroderma, and her sister, Schulz, attended the foundation's national conference in Washington, D.C., last weekend to lobby Ohio's congressional delegation to continue funding for research for scleroderma. The Northeastern Ohio Chapter will represent Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease of the connective tissue generally classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. Also known as systemic sclerosis, it is a disease in which the symptoms may either be visible, as when the skin is affected, or invisible, as when only internal organs are involved. Its involvement may range from mild symptoms to life-threatening.
An estimated 300,000 people in the United States have scleroderma, and about 12,000 Ohioans and their families are affected by the disease. About four times more women than men develop the disease, and its cause is unknown.
For more information about the Northeastern chapter, call (330) 533-0552 or (330) 654-2538. Dial toll-free (800) 722-4673 to reach the National Foundation.