Behind the Mystery, featuring the Scleroderma Research Foundation

Everyone should know what scleroderma is and does.



Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disorder involving many systems in the body. It causes inflammation that leads to hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. In the most serious cases, there can be damage to the heart, lungs, and digestive system—sometimes with lethal consequences.


In 1987, scleroderma patient Sharon Monsky founded the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) with the purpose of finding a cure. Although she passed away from disease complications in 2002, her mission lives on today. Behind the Mystery spoke with founding SRF Board Member Susan Feniger about her friendship with Sharon and how the SRF continues to drive research forward.


They also sat down with scleroderma patient, Melissa, who shared how her diagnosis has impacted her life, and spoke to Dr. Lorinda Chung, of the Stanford University School of Medicine, to understand the many forms of the disease.


Thanks in large part to our community of researchers, patients, advocates, and donors, research is progressing faster than ever before, bringing us closer to a cure.


This piece premiered February 20, 2023 on Behind the Mystery, a recurring series devoted to rare and genetic diseases, airing on The Balancing Act on the Lifetime network.