|
|
Ron Sasso
Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease. Depending on the type, it can be one of the most horrific diseases imaginable,
showing up on many top 10 worst disease lists.Severity of symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Ron
is doing extremely well and is very fortunate---other people aren't as lucky. His diagnosis gave him a very different view
on life and his goal is to leave Rapid City much better than he found it.
Unfortunately, scleroderma is rare enough that it does not get the attention that it should. A type of scleroderma, systemic scleroderma (sometimes called systemic sclerosis) can impact the entire body's connective tissue and often comes in conjunction with Raynaud's syndrome. The following is from Mayo Clinic:
Scleroderma (skleer-oh-DUR-muh) is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues — the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body.
In some people, scleroderma affects only the skin. But in many people, scleroderma also harms structures beyond the skin — such as blood vessels, internal organs and the digestive tract. Signs and symptoms vary, depending on which structures are affected.
Scleroderma affects women more often than men and most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. While there is no cure for scleroderma, a variety of treatments can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. (from Mayo Clinic's website)
The Scleroderma Foundation is an excellent resource for information on the disease and has helped raise awareness for this rare and challenging disease. The National Scleroderma Foundation is one of the most effective and trustworthy charities, receiving extremely high marks from watchdog groups for their use of donated funds.
Ron was diagnosed with systemic scleroderma (also called systemic sclerosis) to kick of the new year in 2016. He has been fortunate to be doing extremely well and have very limited symptoms. The course and severity of the disease varies significantly from person to person. Ron wants to spread the word and help others who may not be as fortunate with the disease. Ron has presented at the National Sclerdoerma Foundation's conferences over the past several years on various topics including stress management, the challenges of being newly diagnosed, dealing with grief, and the psychological aspects of scleroderma.
Artist Paul Klee suffered from scleroderma and his late work, such as "Death and Fire" are inspired by his struggles. Read more about it below.
Unfortunately, scleroderma is rare enough that it does not get the attention that it should. A type of scleroderma, systemic scleroderma (sometimes called systemic sclerosis) can impact the entire body's connective tissue and often comes in conjunction with Raynaud's syndrome. The following is from Mayo Clinic:
Scleroderma (skleer-oh-DUR-muh) is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues — the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body.
In some people, scleroderma affects only the skin. But in many people, scleroderma also harms structures beyond the skin — such as blood vessels, internal organs and the digestive tract. Signs and symptoms vary, depending on which structures are affected.
Scleroderma affects women more often than men and most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. While there is no cure for scleroderma, a variety of treatments can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. (from Mayo Clinic's website)
The Scleroderma Foundation is an excellent resource for information on the disease and has helped raise awareness for this rare and challenging disease. The National Scleroderma Foundation is one of the most effective and trustworthy charities, receiving extremely high marks from watchdog groups for their use of donated funds.
Ron was diagnosed with systemic scleroderma (also called systemic sclerosis) to kick of the new year in 2016. He has been fortunate to be doing extremely well and have very limited symptoms. The course and severity of the disease varies significantly from person to person. Ron wants to spread the word and help others who may not be as fortunate with the disease. Ron has presented at the National Sclerdoerma Foundation's conferences over the past several years on various topics including stress management, the challenges of being newly diagnosed, dealing with grief, and the psychological aspects of scleroderma.
Artist Paul Klee suffered from scleroderma and his late work, such as "Death and Fire" are inspired by his struggles. Read more about it below.
Scleroderma
Ron Sasso
E-mail: Click Here
Cell # (605) 593-3759
E-mail: Click Here
Cell # (605) 593-3759
© Copyright Ron Sasso 2024. All Rights Reserved.
I'm Not Dead Yet!
"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light." - George
Washington
© Copyright Ron Sasso
"Relax, Pray & Keep Moving" is how Ron
approaches scleroderma
PRESS RELEASE: At a candidate forum Ron was criticized by one of his opponents (Laura Armstrong) for his diagnosis.
Read his press release to see how he responded.
"I'm Not Dead Yet!"
Ron received some criticism from one of his opponents at a candidate forum about his reduced "energy" since being
diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, systemic scleroderma. He decided that he wanted to have fun with it---and felt it
was important that citizens realized that he was (and is) in fact still alive (and doing well). Anyone who voted for him did not
vote for a dead person. He is definitely alive. He freely admits that he has less energy than he had prior to his diagnosis,
but his energy level is likely higher than over 95 percent of Americans. Ron campaigned door-to-door (usually on his bike).
You may have seen him out running. Though he is now 58 years old (2023), he is still capable of running a mile in under 7
minutes. Most 22 year olds can't do that. He plans to run the New York City Marathon in November 2024 as a fundraiser for
scleroderma. God willing, he expects to finish strong and remain steadfastly alive. If anyone is uncertain if he is alive,
please feel free to contact him. He returns calls and emails but expects that he will stop returning calls and emails after he
dies.
Ron Sasso Wins Grand Master Division in Wellfully Stampede 10K Race (49:34), finishing 5th overall on a very hot day
(May 7, 2017). It was a race for a great cause, helping our youth overcome challenges. See pictures below:
"I'm not dead yet!"
Ron Sasso completed the Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Half Marathon with a time of 1:43:51.
That's averaging less than 8 minutes a mile for 13.1 miles. When asked what he thought of the
results, Sasso replied with a smile, "Clearly, I'm not dead yet."
Ron has logged over 1,000 running miles every year since 2016.
Ron Sasso completed the Crazy Horse Half Marathon with a time of 1:43:09.
On October 6, 2019 Ron placed 3rd in his age group at the Crazy Horse Half Marathon with a time of 1:48:41. Even though this is
slower than he would have liked, he still averaged an 8:18 pace for 13.1 miles.
On October 4, 2020, Ron placed 2nd in his age group at the Crazy Horse Half Marathon with a time of 1:46:42. That's an average pace of 8:09 per mile. He continues to be...not dead yet.
On July 10, 2021, Ron ran the Spearfish (CASA) Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:36:45. That's an average of 7:23 per mile for 13.1 miles (it was perfect weather and a downhill course).
On July 8, 2023, Ron ran the Spearfish CASA Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:35:20. That's an average of 7:17 per mile. It is his new personal record. Most importantly, he continues to be...not dead yet. This was also fast enough for him to qualify for the New York City Marathon. If he continues to not be dead, he plans to run the NYC Marathon in November 2024.
Of course, there will be a time when he will be dead (all of us will be). However, as a Christian, when that time comes, he will actually be more alive than dead.
On October 4, 2020, Ron placed 2nd in his age group at the Crazy Horse Half Marathon with a time of 1:46:42. That's an average pace of 8:09 per mile. He continues to be...not dead yet.
On July 10, 2021, Ron ran the Spearfish (CASA) Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:36:45. That's an average of 7:23 per mile for 13.1 miles (it was perfect weather and a downhill course).
On July 8, 2023, Ron ran the Spearfish CASA Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:35:20. That's an average of 7:17 per mile. It is his new personal record. Most importantly, he continues to be...not dead yet. This was also fast enough for him to qualify for the New York City Marathon. If he continues to not be dead, he plans to run the NYC Marathon in November 2024.
Of course, there will be a time when he will be dead (all of us will be). However, as a Christian, when that time comes, he will actually be more alive than dead.