Upcoming events
Next Support Group meeting
November 21st, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Topic: Weathering Wellness: Letting Go & Welcoming the Fall Season
Location: Zoom
Register in advance here
Some of our members have shared that they’d like support with their mindset when living with a chronic health condition.
In this informal 90 minute session, our guest speaker, Shantelle Rank, will offer a supportive, safe learning space in a peer-supported environment. It’s a chance to pause and reflect on the change of season, explore simple ways to let go and embrace change, and welcome the season ahead, followed by a mindfulness meditation.
There will be time for questions, and Shantelle will also share other mental health contacts in Manitoba for members who would like them.
Stay for as long as your schedule allows. Grab a beverage and a snack, and plan to join us!
Register here
Meet Shantelle Rank
Shantelle Rank is a psychiatric nurse with a 15 year health care career in community, inpatient, and outpatient mental health services across Manitoba.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from Brandon University and has certifications in Compassionate Inquiry and Beyond Addiction with Gabor Maté and Sat Dharam. Shantelle also facilitates CBTm and bereavement support groups.
Register here
SPIN Event
We’re sharing an invitation from the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) for an upcoming online event that we thought would interest our community.
SPIN is hosting:
What’s New in Scleroderma Research: An Online Event for Patients & Families
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM
This unique online event brings researchers and patient partners together to co-present the latest scleroderma research.
Research presentations are selected by a patient panel and tailored to make research accessible and relevant to people living with scleroderma and their families.
Why attend?
► Presentations co-developed and co-presented by patients and researchers, for patients
►Latest top scleroderma studies selected as high-interest by patients for patients
►Live Q&A with co-presenters
REGISTER HERE
Have questions? Contact SPIN at spin.pairs@gmail.com
We hope to see you there!
The Spring/Summer Bulletin has arrived!
Download or read the latest edition of The Bulletin here for the latest in news and information about living with scleroderma.
Visit The Bulletin page for past editions.
Consider getting involved!
Participating as a Director on the Scleroderma Manitoba Board is a great way to meet others in the community, learn more about scleroderma and help to continue to provide support to the scleroderma community in Manitoba to make it even stronger.
We are seeking volunteers to fill vacant board positions including a Member at large.
Interested? Have questions? Email sclerodermamb@gmail.com.
Participate in SPIN-SELF
Enrollment is open for SPIN’s scleroderma self-management program. SPIN-SELF is a program designed to provide knowledge and skills for managing physical, emotional and social consequenses of scleroderma.
Participants get access to 9 self-management modules and receive $100.
Resources to check out
Free prescription savings card | The innoviCares card is a free prescription savings card available to all Canadian residents, and is funded by participating pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Videos available | There are several videos available on topics related to living with scleroderma, research and governance on our Videos page.
Educational sheets / Fiches éducatives | Access the English versions here. Accédez aux versions françaises ici.
SclerodermaNews.com | “The Web’s Daily Resource for Scleroderma News” — a good site to bookmark for the latest in research and information about scleroderma.
Scleroderma Manitoba’s Support Group is there for you.
Scleroderma Manitoba hosts support groups for scleroderma patients, their families, and their supporters.
Upcoming meeting dates and details as well as summaries and resources from past meetings are available here.
Welcome to Scleroderma Manitoba
Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with scleroderma for some time, or if your spouse or partner, child, parent, or family member has been diagnosed with scleroderma, or if your friend, co-worker, or employee has scleroderma, YOU are a part of the scleroderma community in Manitoba.
This site is here to help you find support and to learn more about scleroderma, current research, advocacy and ways to volunteer.
Information about COVID-19 vaccination for scleroderma patients.
About Scleroderma Manitoba
Read more about Scleroderma Manitoba and its Mission here.
Research
Find the latest information on scleroderma research here.
Get involved
Check out volunteer opportunities and ways to donate.
What is Scleroderma?
Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis or SSc) is a largely misunderstood chronic disease affecting about approximately 22,000 Canadian and five to six times more women than men are affected by this disease.
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease, a condition in which a person’s immune system turns against itself by producing antibodies that attack its own tissues (i.e. autoantibodies).
The word “scleroderma” is derived from the Greek words “skleros” (hard) and “derma” (skin) and is characterized by progressive skin hardening.
Scleroderma is characterized by an overproduction of collagen and damage to the blood vessels that causes excessive scarring within the various organs. This imbalance leads to a hardening of the skin (fibrosis) and an alteration of the affected organs.
Moreover, in most cases scleroderma limits the motor skills and dexterity of those affected and causes great physical and psychological suffering since it produces disfiguring appearance-related changes. Learn more.
