National Psoriasis Foundation announces Volunteer of the Year at annual convention
Portland, Ore., Aug. 9, 2006—The National Psoriasis Foundation presented PJ Leary with the Volunteer of the Year award at the National Psoriasis Foundation® 2006 National Conference, held Aug. 4-6, in Portland, Ore.
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PJ Leary, left, with Gail M. Zimmerman, Foundation president and CEO
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Leary, diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of 16 and psoriatic arthritis at 19, has been a member of the Psoriasis Foundation since 2000. She started a support group in her hometown of Raleigh, N.C. in 2002. Today she is a support group leader for this affiliate.
Leary has also been active in medical and media outreach activities for the Foundation and participated in Capitol Hill Day events. She contributes regularly to the Psoriasis Foundation message board, often responding to other members' questions and offering encouragement and support.
"My involvement with the National Psoriasis Foundation has been an enriching and rewarding experience for many years. I would like to thank the dedicated staff at the Foundation, all of the members of my support group, and all of the other volunteers across the country who selflessly devote their own time and energy to this worthy cause."
In addition to her work with the Psoriasis Foundation, Leary is on the board of trustees of Diabetes Management Solutions, a nonprofit Diabetes Education Foundation in North Carolina.
The Psoriasis Foundation Volunteer of the Year award recognizes initiative, sustained commitment, and impact and innovation in reaching the psoriasis community.
"Volunteers are the heart of the Psoriasis Foundation," says Gail M. Zimmerman, president and CEO of the Psoriasis Foundation. "We extend our sincerest thanks to PJ and all of the volunteers who contribute countless hours of dedication and support to the psoriasis community."
To learn more about the National Psoriasis Foundation and volunteer opportunities in the organization, visit www.psoriasis.org/community/volunteer.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, noncontagious disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt 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, 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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