05/29/2026
🩵Honoring Don Legere at the 10th Annual Deer Island Stroll 🩵
Saturday, June 13th 2026 📅
As we celebrate the 10th Annual Deer Island Stroll Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma, we are proud to honor Don Legere, father of Maria Bartoszewicki, the founder of the Stroll. Don Legere was diagnosed with Systemic Scleroderma in 2007. Maria and her family started the Stroll in an effort to bring the New England community together 🤝 to raise awareness and funds, and to make a difference in the lives of families affected by scleroderma.
For the past decade, the Legere family has dedicated themselves to building this incredible event into a meaningful day of awareness, community, remembrance, and hope for those impacted by scleroderma. This year, as we celebrate ten years of the Deer Island Stroll 🎊, we recognize the heart behind it all — Don Legere, a true scleroderma warrior 💪🩵.
Don has been a prominent leader within the scleroderma community for many years, serving as the past President of the Board of Directors for the founding Scleroderma Foundation New England (SFNE) now known as the New England Chapter for the National Scleroderma Foundation. His passion for raising awareness and funding research has inspired countless families and helped advance the mission of finding the cause and cure for scleroderma.
Living with scleroderma himself for the past 19 years, Don transformed his personal journey into advocacy and action. He has participated in support groups, clinical trials, and research initiatives while continuously encouraging and uplifting others facing this disease . As Co-Leader with his wife Cathy Legere of the Central NH Scleroderma Support Group, Don and Cathy have provided information, hope, and encouragement 🌻 to so many within the community.
Recently, Don underwent a life-saving lung transplant and is currently recovering, with Cathy and his 4 kids by his side every step of the way. While he will not be able to attend the stroll in person this year, we are honored that he will be joining us virtually as we celebrate his remarkable legacy and unwavering dedication to the scleroderma community. As Don and Cathy celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this July, we are reminded to thank and honor the dedication of our scleroderma caretakers and loved ones.
Don’s impact reaches far beyond this event. His leadership, compassion, and determination have inspired others to join the fight against scleroderma and have strengthened our community in immeasurable ways.
Please join us at this year’s 10th Annual Deer Island Stroll as we celebrate and honor Don Legere for his years of advocacy, resilience, and hope ✨🩵.
Join us Saturday June 13th Register or Donate below
https://events.scleroderma.org/event/sodeerislandma2026/home
