(August 14, 2008) Washington, D.C. – Henry T. Gage Middle School student Cynthia Cervantes of Huntington Park presents Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) with a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the Scleroderma Foundation for her support of federal research efforts into the disease that causes Cynthia’s skin and internal organs to stiffen. The congresswoman first met 13-year-old Cynthia in March when she testified before the Appropriations Health Subcommittee, on which the congresswoman sits, about her experiences coping with scleroderma. The rare autoimmune disease affects about 300,000 Americans. Pictured in the group photo from left to right: Brian Ross Adams – Executive Director, Southern California Chapter, Scleroderma Foundation; Leticia Cervantes – Cynthia’s mother; Linda Cervantes- Cynthia’s sister; Cynthia Cervantes; Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, who represents Huntington Park; Bonnie Davidson, Scleroderma Foundation Board Member; and Josephine Battyany– Southern California Chapter Patient Support Coordinator (also patient) of the Scleroderma Foundation.