Its that time of year again, the New Year’s Day swim in Southie is quickly approaching(too quickly for some swimmers). We are once again asking for your help fighting this terrible disease that has effected us so personally. Every dime of this money will go directly to the New England chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation. We will keep going into the water and raising money until we have a cure! The hard earned money that you decide to donate to our cause means the world to my family and I. We are beyond blessed to have your support year after year. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Love,

The Lombard/McKenna Clan

Scleroderma is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. The disease, which literally means "hard skin", can cause thickening and tightening of skin, as well as serious damage to internal organs. Scleroderma occurs three to four times more often in women than in men, and the disease also attacks children. Presently the cause of Scleroderma is not known, and there is no cure.

South Boston was hit hard by Scleroderma. A cluster of Southie women were diagnosed with this rare disease, which left the small tight knit community confused and concerned. Our mother Elizabeth Lombard, who has had Scleroderma for over 20 years led the charge in trying to find the cause of this terrible disease through awareness and research.