Paul Shaffer to Host Scleroderma Foundation National 'Swing for the Stars' Gala in New York City

Paul Shaffer to Host Scleroderma Foundation National 'Swing for the Stars' Gala in New York City

DANVERS, Mass., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Scleroderma Foundation announces its Annual Gala, Swing for the Stars, presented by Oki Data Americas and featuring special guest host Paul Shaffer of "Late Show with David Letterman." The Chairs for the benefit are Elizabeth Borgen and husband Patrick Borgen, M.D. of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Mary- Charlotte, their 17-year-old daughter, was diagnosed with scleroderma at the age of five.

Scleroderma is a chronic, often life-threatening, autoimmune disease where the body overproduces collagen resulting in the thickening/hardening of the skin and, in some cases, internal organs. The disease is most common in women, usually diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 55. An estimated 300,000 Americans -- an incidence similar to that of Multiple Sclerosis -- suffer from it and at the moment the cure remains an elusive goal.

"In addition to raising funds to improve support, education and research programs, we are pleased to have the opportunity to honor three individuals -- researchers Dr. Harry Spiera and Dr. Robert Spiera, and New York attorney and Scleroderma Foundation Board Member Jeff Mace -- for their unwavering commitment to finding a cure," says Donna Kohli, President of the Scleroderma Foundation. "These individuals have always gone the extra mile and are an inspiration to all of us."

The Benefit begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 pm at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on Monday, October 24th. Jazz legend Roger Kellaway and his trio will make a rare New York appearance as the evening's swinging entertainment.

About the Scleroderma Foundation

The Scleroderma Foundation is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization serving the interests of persons with scleroderma. The Foundation's 24 chapters and 160 support groups nationwide help to carry out its three-fold mission of support, education, and research. The Scleroderma Foundation is the leading nonprofit supporter of scleroderma research -- funding over $1 million of new grants each year to find the cause and cure of scleroderma. Website: http://www.scleroderma.org/ . Toll-free number: 800-722-HOPE.

About Oki Data Americas

Oki Data Americas, Inc., headquartered in Mount Laurel, N.J., and a subsidiary of Oki Data Corporation of Japan, markets under the OKI Printing Solutions brand PC peripheral equipment including digital color and monochrome printers, serial impact dot matrix printers, multifunction products and facsimiles. Known for durable and reliable products, Oki Data Americas is ISO 9001:2000 certified and also offers a full line of options, accessories and consumables. Its entire line of products complies with the EPA's Energy Star(R) Program. Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., parent company to Oki Data Corporation, is a $6.4 billion multinational corporation with headquarters in Tokyo and is a world leader in information processing systems, telecommunications and electronics.

For more information about Oki Data or OKI Printing Solutions products and services, and Single Pass Color technology, visit the OKI Printing Solutions Web site: http://www.okiprintingsolutions.com/ .

Source: The National Scleroderma Foundation

CONTACT: Sandra Godinho of Makovsky + Company, +1-212-508-9661, sgodinho@makovsky.com

Web site: http://www.scleroderma.org/

------- Profile: Ent