Whereas, Scleroderma is a chronic, autoimmune connective tissue disease, and the word scleroderma literally means "hard skin"; and,

Whereas, Common symptoms include hardening and thickening of the skin, Raynoaud's Phenomenon (abnormal sensitivity to cold in the extremities), swelling of the hands and feet, pain and stiffness of the joints, joint contractures, digestive system and gastrointestinal tract problems, oral, facial and dental problems, and kidney, heart and lung involvement; and,

Whereas, Characteristics of the disease include an over-production of collagen and damage to blood vessels; and,

Whereas, Approximately 300,000 people in the United States suffer from scleroderma, which primarily affects women between the ages of 25 and 55; and,

Whereas, Although significant progress has been made in the fight against scleroderma, there is no known cure; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 2008 as Scleroderma Awareness Month.