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take ACTION | Online registration for the National Psoriasis Foundation 2004 National Conference has CLOSED. Registration for the conference will open on-site at the US Grant Hotel in San Diego (326 Broadway, downtown) starting at 5pm on Friday, August 6th. The cost of on-site registration is the same as the online price; $85 for Members of the Foundation, and $95 for nonmembers. We hope to see you there! | |  | | |  | | |
Get on board with newfound knowledge and enthusiasm as the National Psoriasis Foundation presents our 2004 National Conference. Main conference page
Hotel Why it's a "must-attend" event
What happened last year? Why did people go? What will you get out of it? Read the chat transcript where staff and Members of the National Psoriasis Foundation discussed the upcoming conference. If you went to the 2003 conference or are interested in going this year, talk with others on our message boards. For complete workshop information, click on the name of the workshop you wish to attend. | | Program Friday, Aug. 6, 2004 | 1:30-5:00 pm | Support Group Leadership Workshop (special registration required) | | 5:00-9:00 pm | Registration
| | 6:00-9:00 pm | Welcome Reception (exhibits open) | Saturday, Aug. 8, 2004 | 7:00 am-5:00 pm | Registration | | 8:00 am-5:00 pm | Exhibits open | | 7:00-8:00 am | Continental Breakfast | | 8:00-12 pm | General Session
- Speaking from the Heart National Psoriasis Foundation: Where We've Been, Where We're Going
- Psoriasis as a Lifelong Disease: Managing the Changing Tide
- Psoriatic Arthritis: The Shark Beneath the Surface
- Question & Answer with the Experts
| | Noon-1:15 pm | Lunch with Table Topics
- Parenting a Child with Psoriasis
- Alternative Treatments
- Support Group Leader Connections
- One Voice for a Cure
- Capitol Hill Day
- Insurance Coverage-Successes and Suggestions
- Singles
- Internet Connections
| | 1:30-2:15 pm | Workshop 1
| | 2:25-3:10 pm | Workshop 2
| | 3:30-4:15 pm | Workshop 2
| | 3:30-4:15 pm | Workshop 4
| | 5:30-7:00 pm | Social Reception | | 7:00 pm | Dinner in historical downtown San Diego (on your own) | Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004 | 7:00-8:00 am | Continental Breakfast | | 8:00-8:50 am | General Session Perspectives: Patients and Doctors | | 9:00-9:50 am | Workshop 1
| | 10:00-10:50 am | Workshop 2
| | 11:00-11:50 am | Workshop 3
| | (program subject to change) | Workshop Descriptions Avoiding Wipeout: Stress Management
Do you frequently feel overwhelmed and stressed out? Are you not sure what you can do to manage the day-to-day frustrations associated with your disease? Attend this educational workshop to gain new tips and techniques for managing the stress that may be making your psoriasis worse. Charting Your Course: Being a Powerful Patient
Are you wishing you could better navigate the waters of your disease? Do you wish you had a better idea of how to manage your relationship with your doctor? Hear from patient advocates about how to take control and make your doctor your best ally. E-help: Using the Internet to Your Advantage
Does surfing the World Wide Web for health information seem scary and overwhelming? Are you wanting to connect with the online psoriasis community, but you aren't sure how to rudder the waters? Talk with leaders in the online psoriasis community and explore the benefits and pitfalls that exist on the Web. Finding Your Blue Lagoon: Relationships & Intimacy
Are you scared to tell the people you're close with that you have psoriasis? Is the disease taking a toll on your closest relationships? Share your questions, concerns and feelings with others who can understand what you're experiencing. Navigating the Waters: Making Your Insurance Work for You
Having problems with your insurance company? Want to learn how you can become an empowered patient? The Psoriasis Foundation works with patients, doctors, and insurance companies to improve access to treatments prescribed by your doctor. Discover what services the Foundation offers that can help you with your insurance problems. Nine Months at Sea: Pregnancy & Psoriasis
Are you thinking about starting a family soon? Are you currently pregnant and aren't sure what medications you can take? This workshop will help you explore the important issues that are raised by this unique, life-changing situation. Practical Advice: Biologic Medications
Are you interested in learning about the treatments that are given by injection? Do you want to know which of these medications could be right for you, given their benefits and risks? Hear from a dermatologist who can answer the questions and concerns you might have about this new class of drugs. Practical Advice: Phototherapy & Lasers
Have you wondered what you can do to get the most of your phototherapy treatments? Do you think laser treatments might be the way to go? Advice and strategies on how to make phototherapy work well will be shared in this workshop. Practical Advice: Systemic Medications
Are you considering using an oral medication for your psoriasis? Are you currently on a systemic medication and you have questions about the side effects and the results you are getting? A dermatologist will provide insights into this class of treatments, as well as answer your questions. Practical Advice: Topical Treatments
Do you wish you knew how to make your creams, ointments and lotions work for you? Tired of not getting the results you're hoping for? A dermatologist will provide tips and answer questions about how to help you get the most out of the products you use on a regular basis. Riding the Wave: How It Makes You Feel
Is the emotional impact of your disease taking its toll? Some days do you feel like you can't take it anymore and then other days feel like you could conquer the world? In this workshop, explore the stages associated with having a chronic disease and share with others what you do to cope with the range of emotions you have. Supporting the Patient You Care About
How can you help the person in your life who is affected by psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis? Are you frustrated that these diseases affect your life so much when you don't even have them? Talk with others who understand and explore your role as the light in the dark for someone with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Tai Chi for Psoriatic Arthritis
Do you wish you could increase your flexibility and range of motion? Do you want to find a natural way to improve the stiffness in your joints? Join this interactive Tai Chi session that is designed specifically for people suffering from the painful symptoms associated with arthritis. Taking Action: Being Active with Support Groups
Have you tossed around the idea of starting a group in your area, but aren't sure what's involved? This workshop will provide psoriasis support group leaders with the opportunity to talk about, share and learn new tools for successful group development. Taking Action: Empowered with Advocacy
What is advocacy? How can you become an advocate for both yourself and the more than 5 million Americans with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis? Every victory for the psoriasis community starts with the individual efforts of people like you. Learn about what the Foundation is doing and how we can work together to move mountains. Taking Action: Volunteer Opportunities
Do you want to lend your voice to the cause? Are you interested in raising awareness about psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and the National Psoriasis Foundation? Learn how you can help advance the mission of the Foundation through volunteer activities such as physician outreach, community events and school presentations. Workplace Discrimination Issues
Have you experienced discrimination at work? What do you have to share about your psoriasis with your employer or in a job interview? What laws protect you and how can you find out more? Discover key facts about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). You and Your First Mate: A Couple's Discussion
Is psoriasis putting a strain on your relationship? Are the physical and emotional challenges of this disease something you and your partner struggle to deal with on a regular basis? This session will provide an opportunity for couples to share what obstacles they confront and how they cope and overcome. Your Perfect Ride: It Works For Me
Have you found something that works for your psoriasis? Are you interested in learning from others what has (or hasn't) worked for others? Share your practical advice and learn from others about what they have learned from their treatment regimens. | 
