National Psoriasis Foundation announces spokesperson
Portland, Ore. - May 2, 2007—The National Psoriasis Foundation announced today that CariDee English, winner of Cycle 7 of America's Next Top Model®, has signed as spokesperson for the nonprofit organization.
CariDee, who developed psoriasis at the age of 5, openly discussed her disease on the television show that aired in late 2006. As a teenager, psoriasis covered nearly 70 percent of her body. She spent years gathering information and trying various treatments. Her psoriasis persisted but so did CariDee. She maintained an optimistic outlook and the intense belief that modeling is what she was born to do. After hard-won acceptance of the disease, and visits to three different dermatologists to find a treatment that works for her, she is living her dream.
As a youngster, CariDee says she felt "cursed" with psoriasis. She experienced taunts and embarrassment. Today, her "curse" is her cause.
"Psoriasis awareness is very important to me. I want others with the disease to know they are not alone. I want to inspire them to live their dreams," she said.
CariDee will participate in various events over the next year, including the National Psoriasis Foundation® 2007 National Conference in Las Vegas, Nev., Aug. 17-18.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for us," said Gail Zimmerman, president and CEO of the Psoriasis Foundation. "Many people with psoriasis are reluctant to talk about it. As a model whose success is dependent on outward appearance, it's courageous of CariDee to step up and speak out about psoriasis."
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a noncontagious, genetic disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that can crack and bleed. It often affects the elbows, knees, scalp and torso but can appear anywhere on the body. As many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, according to the National Institutes of Health. 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. Psoriasis can affect anyone at any age, including children. There is no cure yet for this lifelong disease.
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading patient-driven,
nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for
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.
CONTACT:
National Psoriasis Foundation
503.546.8413
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