My husband Denny and I attended the National Scleroderma Foundation’s annual conference in Baltimore this weekend. It was a fantastic time filled with education, support and community. This was Denny's 3rd year volunteering at the event.
It's great that we have the ability to connect with fellow warriors virtually. But I'll tell you, there’s something so special about being able to meet, hug and talk with them in person.
One thing that really warms my heart is to see so many caregivers in attendance, determined to learn as much as they can about how to support their family members. Year after year, their numbers seem to be increasing and I appreciate that the foundation is making efforts to target workshops specifically for them.
Finally, it’s incredibly impressive to have so many medical professionals give up their weekend to spend it educating and learning about us on a personal level so they can learn how to better treat us.
The best part of the weekend for me though was receiving the 2026 National Volunteer of the Year award. What an honor and thrill!
I started volunteering as a way to get my mind off of myself. I loved the quote by Joyce Meyer, "have a need, sow a seed!"
My passion for serving our community has never been rooted in receiving accolades or recognition. I truly enjoy helping other Scleroderma Warriors navigate their health journeys. Sometimes I think I get more out of it than they do.
That being said, I am deeply humbled by this recognition and beyond proud and grateful.
You can check out my acceptance speech here:
