My Scleroderma saga began the winter of 1991 when I was 38. I had just returned to work the year before, my 3 boys were 10, 11, and 13.
 
After attending the SSO Conference in London in 1994, I established the Hamilton Support Group and felt I could accomplish even more sitting on the Board of Directors.
 
Fundraising and membership are key to the growth of the SSO.  I started small by donating a hand made quilt for a raffle at our next conference in Kitchener.  In 1997 I planned and co-hosted the SSO Conference in Burlington.  It was a great venue to get public awareness and educate scleroderma patients and their families.  When the Scleroderma Society of Canada was formed, I joined their board and participated in their regular conference calls and Annual General Meetings across Canada.
 
April 25, 1998 was the day of our first "Walk for Scleroderma".  With the help of the Hamilton Support Group, we started a trend that has continued annually in Hamilton.

To contact Irene, please email to:
irene.goodale@sclerodermaontario.ca