Hundreds of advocates speak out for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research

Psoriasis SpeakOut week urges Congress to support psoriasis legislation

More than 320 advocates asked Congress to support psoriasis research during Psoriasis SpeakOut National Advocacy Week, April 9 through April 13. Each day, National Psoriasis Foundation gave advocates an action, ranging from emailing members of Congress to using social media sites, to raise awareness about the importance of psoriatic disease research and to ask elected officials to support the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, Research, Cure, and Care Act (PPARCCA), comprehensive psoriatic disease legislation that will advance the nation's efforts to cure these diseases.

Advocates from 40 states completed more than 700 actions. They creatively shared their stories in videos, blog posts and social media updates; signed an online petition asking their members of Congress to support PPARCCA; spoke out to elected officials via social media; sent dozens of emails; and made numerous phone calls. Among the week's highlights were meetings with 19 members of Congress from California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Texas, Florida and North Carolina. Rep. Kurt Schrader (Ore.-5) signed on as a co-sponsor of PPARCCA after meeting with Oregon constituents. San Diego advocates met in person with Reps. Bob Filner (CA-51) and Susan Davis (CA-53), both psoriasis supporters and PPARCCA co-sponsors.

In addition, two members of Congress from California agreed to submit a statement to the Congressional Record, the official journal of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress, in support of their constituents with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Learn how you can advocate for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis »

April 27, 2012

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