CariDee English, America's Next Top Model®, holds congressional briefing on psoriasis

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 11, 2007) — It was standing room only this afternoon in 2325 Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill when CariDee English, America's Next Top Model® 2006, addressed congressional staffers about the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act of 2007 (H.R. 1188/S. 1459). English was in Washington today in support of this first-ever comprehensive psoriasis legislation introduced in Congress. The model developed psoriasis at the age of 5; by the time she was in her teens, thick psoriasis plaques covered nearly 70 percent of her body.

More than 100 people attended the congressional briefing. They were held spellbound by English—illustrating her strength as more than a fashion model. Today, she served as a role model for millions of Americans with psoriasis by standing up to tell her story.

English and other speakers educated the group about the systemic nature of psoriasis and its roots in the immune system. She fielded a variety of questions about the disease, what it's like to live with it, how it affects her emotionally and physically, the co-morbidities associated with psoriasis, and the new psoriasis legislation.

"It was gratifying," said English, "to speak out in favor of the psoriasis bill with people who have the power to make it happen."

English, who was joined by her mother, Pam Flesness, served as a living example of the genetic reality of psoriasis. Flesness has psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. She became a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation when CariDee was a youngster to help herself, and CariDee, live well with the disease.

On Tuesday, English is scheduled to meet one on one with members of Congress from Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota and Oregon.

Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., participated in the briefing and took a moment to talk about the importance of finding a cure for psoriasis and the psoriasis legislation he introduced in February in the House of Representatives.

Just last month, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., sponsored the bill in the U.S. Senate (S. 1459). The bipartisan measure calls upon the federal government through the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Institute of Medicine to build their support for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in four key areas.

Psoriasis is a noncontagious, genetic disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that can crack and bleed. It often affects the elbows, knees, scalp and torso but can appear anywhere on the body. As many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ten percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory disease which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. Psoriasis can affect anyone at any age, including children. There is no cure yet for this lifelong disease.