Sharon Monsky

Sharon Monsky (1953–2002) founded the Scleroderma Research Foundation.[1][2]

Sharon Lynn Monsky
Born(1953-10-23)October 23, 1953
Omaha, Nebraska
DiedMay 11, 2002(2002-05-11) (aged 48)
Santa Barbara, California
Cause of deathScleroderma
Spouse
Mark Scher
​
(m. 1977)​
Children3
Websitesrfcure.org

Monsky was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 23, 1953. She was a competitive figure skater as a teenager.[3][4]

Monsky received a BA in Economics at Pitzer College, where she also met her future husband Mark Scher. She received her MBA from Stanford University in 1980, while living in San Francisco and working on the Pacific Stock Exchange.[4]

In 1982, while working as a management consultant for McKinsey & Co. Inc., Monsky was diagnosed with scleroderma and was told she had only two years to live. The rare disease hardens the skin and internal organs of young women of child-bearing age causing disfigurement, and is potentially fatal.[5]

In reaction to the lack of awareness of the disease in the medical community, she went on to found the Scleroderma Research Foundation in 1987,[2] an organization dedicated to finding a cure.[4] According to the New York Times, "Ms. Monsky's activities generated more than $14 million for research and helped expand understanding of the disease. Money she disbursed for basic medical research on scleroderma led to the publication of scientific articles exploring potential cures. Her work also helped make scleroderma better known."[2] Ms. Monsky applied her business expertise to successful fund-raising efforts. For example, she organized an annual fund-raiser which in 1992 combined top comedians such as Bob Saget plus fine cuisine which drew 420 people and netted donations of $125,000.[5]

Monsky's friend actress Dana Delany said "Sharon's work literally convinced researchers that there was hope in finding a cure ... Before research can begin researchers have to be convinced there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Now we know it's a solvable problem held back only by research resources."[6] In 1996, Monsky appeared in the ABC TV movie For Hope alongside Delany.[7]

After living 18 years beyond the original prognosis, Monsky died on May 11, 2002, at age 48,[8] due to complications from the disease.[4]

Quotes

I'm in the business of finding a cure for scleroderma...and the best thing of all is that I'm in the business to go out of business."[4]

References
  1. "Scleroderma Research Foundation - About Us". Archived from the original on 2006-09-25. Retrieved 2006-09-12.
  2. Eric Pace (2002-05-17). "Obituary: Sharon Monsky, 48, Leader In Fight Against Rare Illness". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  3. Michael Lev (1990-11-06). "Success Comes to a Start-Up Charity". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  4. "Sharon Monsky: A True Hero" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-08-10. Retrieved 2006-09-12.
  5. Betty Goodwin (1992-06-10). "Benefit Gives Scleroderma Battle a Boost of $125,000". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  6. Mike Falcon, Spotlight Health, With medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D. (November 8, 2002). "Robin Williams talks seriously about scleroderma". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-09-12.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Sharon Monsky at IMDb
  8. Dennis McLellan (2002-05-12). "Obituary: Sharon Monsky, 48: Health Activist". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
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