"Ward, no need to worry about the Beaver."
Jerry Mathers steps out and speaks about his psoriasis
Portland, Ore., May 15, 2002—Jerry Mathers, former child star of the 1950s television hit "Leave It To Beaver," wants you to "step into his skin" and learn what it's like to live with psoriasis, a serious skin disease that affects an estimated 4.5 million U.S. adults.
Mathers is the new spokesperson for Step Into My Skin, an education campaign of the National Psoriasis Foundation to raise awareness of psoriasis, educate the public about new biologic therapies, and generate hope for people with this serious, lifelong disease.
"Living with psoriasis is no picnic," Mathers said. "When you're covered with flaky, scaly, unsightly skin, it's difficult to live comfortably. People think it's contagious and they shun you, which can be humiliating. I want people to know that psoriasis isn't contagious and that new treatments are just around the corner for those of us with this serious disease."
New therapies
The new treatments are called biologics. These drugs differ from existing treatments because they specifically target the processes that drive psoriasis, as well as treat the symptoms.
Patients need new treatment alternatives. A just-released Psoriasis Foundation survey shows that a third of people with moderate to severe psoriasis are unhappy with available therapies, which don't work for everyone and can have serious side effects.
"For the first time in 20 years, a new class of medications will soon be available for people with moderate to severe psoriasis," said Gail M. Zimmerman, president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. "One biologic therapy is now under review at the FDA and others are in development. This is big news. That's why we're launching Step Into My Skin, to educate people about biologics, which may offer increased safety and greater efficacy over today's therapies."
Step Into My Skin
The Step Into My Skin campaign will provide information about psoriasis and new biologic therapies through its Web site at www.StepIntoMySkin.org. The site will serve as a resource center where visitors can learn the latest science behind the immunology of psoriasis and how new biologic treatments work differently from current medications.
The content of the Web site is arranged into three major categories:
- About Psoriasis – includes facts about psoriasis, a tutorial on the role of the immune system in psoriasis, and an immunology quiz.
- New Treatments – provides information about biologics, tips to prepare for a visit to the dermatologist and additional resources for biologics and psoriasis clinical trials.
- Living with Psoriasis – provides information about Jerry Mathers and his experience with psoriasis and tip sheets that explain how to start a support group, talk to others about psoriasis, and cope with the disease. This section also shares inspirational stories from other people living with psoriasis and invites visitors to join the psoriasis community by submitting their own story to the site.
The Step Into My Skin campaign also provides visitors with a free information kit that includes more information on psoriasis and biologics, as well as a relaxing jazz CD to help reduce the stress that can trigger psoriasis. The free kit can be ordered over the Web site or through the Step Into My Skin toll-free hotline at (888) 236-4500.
The campaign will tour the USA in fall 2002, with Jerry Mathers speaking along with leading dermatologists at Psoriasis Foundation community panel discussions.
Step Into My Skin is underwritten by Biogen, a biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, Mass.
Psoriasis impacts quality of life
A survey just released by the Psoriasis Foundation shows that psoriasis can diminish a person's quality of life, especially among the 1.5 million who suffer from moderate to severe disease. Of those surveyed, many report that their psoriasis keeps them from participating in normal daily activities, disrupts their sleeping habits, and dictates their clothing choices—forcing them to cover up affected skin with long-sleeve shirts and pants.
About the Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the only nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and their families. It receives its principal support from public donations. Its mission is to educate people about these diseases and their treatments, raise public awareness, and support ongoing research.
The organization is headquartered in Portland, Ore., and serves the millions of men, women, and children diagnosed with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. For more information, please call the Psoriasis Foundation at (800) 723-9166 or explore this Web site.
Media inquiries
Marketing and communications department
National Psoriasis Foundation
503.244.7404, ext. 413
pfasano@psoriasis.org
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