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The latest news releases from the National Psoriasis Foundation on research developments into psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, National Psoriasis Foundation events for its Members and the public and other relevant happenings.
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Marketing and Communications Department
National Psoriasis Foundation
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New Sources of Information Available to Psoriasis Patients
Portland, Ore., May 21, 2003 -- The 4.5 million U.S. adults with psoriasis have a new source of information available to them starting today. The National Psoriasis Foundation is offering a New Member Support Kit to anyone who becomes a Member by giving a donation of any amount. The kit is one of several new initiatives underway in a broad offensive to help patients manage this disease.
"Each day we hear from people who are suffering from psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and it is our mission to help them improve their quality of life," said Gail Zimmerman, president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. "That's why we have developed novel ways to provide support and information to patients. What is also exciting is that the medical community is concurrently able to offer new ways to control the disease."
Other Resources for Patients
The Psoriasis Foundation is offering increased patient support through a series of community meetings that are being held across the nation this spring. A list of these workshops can be found on www.psoriasis.org. These meetings offer psoriasis patients a chance to learn the basics about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, hear the latest news about treatments and research, meet a leading physician in the given location and share their experiences with other patients.
The Psoriasis Foundation has also launched a revamped, interactive Web site (www.psoriasis.org) where patients can find virtual support groups, have access to leading physicians through live chats, and read the latest news on advances in treatments. Currently, the Web site receives more than 87,000 hits each month.
One Patient at a Time
The Psoriasis Foundation has nearly 50,000 Members. Another 50,000 people contact the Foundation each year for information and support. Each person has his or her own story of how they are learning to live with this serious disease.
Shana Hansen, for instance, a 26-year-old mother from Blessing, Texas, is caring for her 2-year-old daughter Lillian, who has a rare case of psoriasis. At just 10 weeks of age, Lillian was diagnosed with psoriasis on her skin, but five months later Lillian began having difficulty swallowing solid food, and doctors discovered the disease was also in her esophagus. Shana found help at the National Psoriasis Foundation Web site by joining a chat session with Mark Lebwohl, M.D., one of America's leading psoriasis experts and a Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board Member. Dr. Lebwohl chatted with Shana and later referred Lillian to a specialist in her town. Today, Lillian's skin condition has greatly improved, and doctors are still working to find treatments for the more rare case in her esophagus.
"I was very worried for Lillian. I'm thankful the National Psoriasis Foundation has been there to help me," said Shana.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an immune disease that typically first strikes people between the ages of 15 and 35. Psoriasis occurs when faulty signals in the immune system cause skin cells to regenerate too quickly�every three to four days instead of the usual 30-day cycle. Extra skin cells build up on the skin's surface forming red, flaky, scaly patches called plaques that can itch, crack, and bleed and be extremely painful. Psoriasis generally appears on the joints, limbs and scalp but it can appear anywhere on the body, covering some people from head to toe. More than 4.5 million U.S. adults have psoriasis.
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization fighting to improve the quality of life of people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and their families. It receives its support from public donations and companies interested in supporting the psoriasis community. 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 www.psoriasis.org.
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