About A Lasting Mark

Meet Luke

Luke Medolla was diagnosed with Linear Scleroderma in May 2013, at the age of 13. His disease was localized and presented in his right upper extremity. Scleroderma causes thickening, hardening, and scarring of the skin and connective tissue which in turn inhibits normal growth. His fingers, his wrist, and his elbow have deformity, decreased mobility and function.

Soon after learning of his diagnosis, Luke was on the soccer field facing a rival town. His team lost. At the end of the game, the two teams lined up to shake each other's hand. A player on the opposing team, unaware of Luke’s limitations, thought Luke was purposely not shaking his hand and yelled at him for being a sore loser. Luke walked off the field sad, embarrassed and confused.

Prior to his diagnosis, Luke, one of four brothers, always enjoyed playing basketball, soccer, and wrestling. Afterward, he was faced with many challenges, fears, and anxieties. Medications that made him feel sick, weekly lab work, monthly doctors' appointments, and multiple surgeries were onerous. And giving up the competitive sports he loved was very hard to do. However, the most difficult challenge Luke faced was his inability to shake another's hand. Something that most people do not even think about on any given day.

Why A Lasting Mark?

Being diagnosed with a chronic disease was life-changing for Luke and the Medolla family. His disease caused a discoloration and hardening of the skin in his lower and upper arm. The discoloration is a permanent mark to remind Luke of his diagnosis. That was the impetus of our charity, A Lasting Mark. His disease left a lasting mark on him, but now he would find the many other ways he could extend one’s hand and leave A Lasting Mark on others.

So in 2013 we created A Lasting Mark. We are a 501(c)(3) charity. Through the love and generous support of our family and community, we were able to donate $100,000 to Dr. Thomas Lehman, the Chief of Pediatric Rheumatology at the world-renowned Hospital for Special Surgery. Your generous support provided Dr. Lehman with the help needed to launch his research study of genetics and Linear Scleroderma. His goal is to advance the development of targeted therapies and improve the quality of life of those children affected by this very rare and underfunded disease.

In addition, we have helped to initiate and fund the first-ever National Pediatric Educational and Research Forum KGS2! Kids Get Scleroderma Too for the Tri-State Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation.