A Nerriga man has donated the proceeds of a bull sale to assist in the battle against scleroderma, a disease that causes a hardening of the skin.
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The prize bullock, named Santa Bogie, was auctioned off at the Central West Livestock Exchange recently, raising $1800 for medical research into Scleroderma.
The bull, which weighed 970kg, was donated by Nerriga man Bruce Temple in honour of his wife Beverley who suffered from Scleroderma and died in 2017, aged 74.
Mr Temple said he hopes the money raised from the charity auction will help the Scleroderma Association and people that live with the disease, which he called "a terrible condition."
"It affects the extremities. A hardening of the skin is a hallmark of the disease," he said.
Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease. The hardening is caused by the overproduction of collagen, which is laid down in the skin and internal organs, resulting in scarring and reduced function of the affected organs.
NSW Scleroderma Association president Marilyn Singer OAM thanked Mr Temple for his generosity and it was a great tribute to his late wife.
She said the cause of Scleroderma is still unknown, however research into the possible cause actively continues by medical and scientific communities all over the world. There is currently no cure.
"Treatment consists of management of the symptoms with the view to slowing disease progression and improvement in the quality of life for the patient," she said.
"Awareness is very important, as many people go untreated for years due to the lack of knowledge and difficulty with diagnosis."
Mrs Singer said funding research is of the utmost importance, as this is the way to understanding and treating the debilitating disease.
"The importance of raising awareness about Scleroderma cannot be overstated. It is only through awareness and research that we will have a chance of making the lives of Scleroderma sufferers, not only better, but give them hope for the future," Mrs Singer said.
She thanked the agents, Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon & Co, for waiving the commission fee.