February 2008

Dear Advocacy Volunteers,

Teenagers, dermatologists, psoriasis researchers, nurses, volunteer leaders of the psoriasis community and a national celebrity-what do they all have in common? They are part of the Psoriasis Action Network, and are among the 100 advocates arriving in Washington, D.C., on March 2 for the 5th annual National Psoriasis Foundation Capitol Hill Day.

These aren't just any 100 people. Each and every one has taken action to advocate for psoriasis or has committed to making a personal investment in the cause. Many of these participants live in areas represented by members of Congress who are critical to moving forward our bill, the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure and Care Act (H.R. 1188 and S. 1459, or PPARCCA). Many participants are leaders in their own psoriasis community-leading psoriasis support groups or National Psoriasis Walk for Awareness events. CariDee English, America's Next Top Model® 2006, is also joining us to speak out about her disease and the need for a cure.

These 100 people will descend on Capitol Hill March 3 with a united voice. And more importantly, they have all committed to carrying on this advocacy when they return home. Capitol Hill Day will kick off our Fair Shake for Psoriasis campaign with participants asking for meetings with their members of Congress once back in their home states and districts, with the idea of clinching a photo shaking hands. All of the photos will be posted in a photo gallery on the National Psoriasis Foundation Web site. These photos will attest to the legislators' support for the psoriasis community. As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words" and the photos will help illustrate that psoriasis is: (1) not contagious, (2) a condition that affects a wide range of people and (3) a disease that warrants attention and action from the Congress.

As part of a fair shake for psoriasis, on Capitol Hill on March 3, advocates will also ask their members of Congress to:

• Co-sponsor the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure and Care Act of 2007 (H.R. 1188 and S.1459)
• Support more funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with appropriate increases for the NIH institutes and centers active in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research

There is a place for you in this campaign if you can't make it to Capitol Hill Day! Join other Psoriasis Action network members as they Call for a Cure. This is an organized campaign to call members of Congress on March 3-the day that we will be on Capitol Hill. We will send you simple talking points and step by step instructions a few days before the event. If you can phone a friend and talk about psoriasis, you can participate in the Call for a Cure.

We are changing the face of psoriasis-just by speaking out. Take the silence that once was characteristic of this disease and turn it into action. Whether by joining Capitol Hill Day, calling for a cure on March 3, or taking action with your members of Congress in some other way, you will bring us closer to a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Sheila Rittenberg
Senior Director of Advocacy & External Affairs

P.S. For tips and coaching on being an effective advocate, Alyssa Brown is always available to help- abrown@psoriasis.org or 800.723.9166, ext. 407.