National Psoriasis Foundation kicks off Finding a Cure campaign at 2006 national conference
Portland, Ore., Aug. 8, 2006—Nearly 300 conference attendees at the National Psoriasis Foundation® 2006 National Conference gathered Aug. 4-6 to share common experiences and learn about new treatment options for their psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. But they walked away with much more-a sense of hope that a cure will be found for these diseases.
Fueling that hope was the kickoff of Finding a Cure: The Campaign for the National Psoriasis Foundation, which aims to raise $5 million for research and advocacy in an effort to a find a cure for psoriasis. Prior to the conference, $3.3 million had been raised through the campaign. An additional $8,000 was contributed at the conference.
One of the highlights of the conference was the announcement of a $1 million pledge to the campaign by the Henschel family of Boca Raton, Fla., through the Barbara and Neal Henschel Charitable Foundation. The contribution was made in honor of the late Victor Henschel, who had severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The gift is dedicated solely to the creation of the National Psoriasis Victor Henschel BioBank, a major component of the research initiative of the Finding a Cure campaign. The BioBank will hold the world's largest collection of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis biological samples for use by researchers.
The campaign's advocacy initiative includes both government relations (the Foundation's political efforts on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.) and work with patients, doctors and insurance companies to achieve better access to treatment.
"Ramping up our efforts in research and advocacy is an important step in finding a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis," says Gail M. Zimmerman, president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. "The Finding a Cure campaign will help raise funds to support us in this work."
Workshops focusing on advocacy and research were a major part of this year's conference, demonstrating the importance of these initiatives in finding a cure for psoriasis. Keynote speakers included Stephen Katz, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, and Alan Menter, M.D., chairman of the Division of Dermatology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, and a key leader in the field of psoriasis.
For more information on psoriasis, or to make a donation to Finding a Cure, visit the National Psoriasis Foundation Web site, www.psoriasis.org, or call 800-723-9166.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, noncontagious genetic disease of the immune system that prompts skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that crack and bleed. It often affects the elbows, knees, scalp and torso but can appear anywhere on the body. Ten percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory disease which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. Psoriasis can affect anyone at any age, including children. There is no cure yet for psoriasis.
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading patient-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life millions of Americans with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, and their families. We focus on education, advocacy and research toward better treatments and a cure. For more information, please call the Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800.723.9166, or visit www.psoriasis.org.
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