CariDee English, America's Next Top Model®, holds congressional briefing on psoriasis
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| CariDee English speaks on behalf of the National Psoriasis Foundation at a congressional briefing in support of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act, on June 11, 2007, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Nancy Ostertag/NPS 2007) |
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 11, 2007) — It was standing room only this afternoon
in 2325 Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill when CariDee English,
America's Next Top Model® 2006, addressed congressional staffers about the
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act of 2007 (H.R.
1188/S. 1459). English was in Washington today in support of this first-ever
comprehensive psoriasis legislation introduced in Congress. The model
developed psoriasis at the age of 5; by the time she was in her teens, thick
psoriasis plaques covered nearly 70 percent of her body.
More than 100 people attended the congressional briefing. They were held
spellbound by English—illustrating her strength as more than a fashion model.
Today, she served as a role model for millions of Americans with psoriasis by
standing up to tell her story.
English and other speakers educated the group about the systemic nature of
psoriasis and its roots in the immune system. She fielded a variety of questions
about the disease, what it's like to live with it, how it affects her emotionally and
physically, the co-morbidities associated with psoriasis, and the new psoriasis
legislation.
"It was gratifying," said English, "to speak out in favor of the psoriasis bill with people who have the power to make it happen."
English, who was joined by her mother, Pam Flesness, served as a living example
of the genetic reality of psoriasis. Flesness has psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
She became a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation when CariDee was a youngster to help herself, and CariDee, live well with the disease.
On Tuesday, English is scheduled to meet one on one with members of Congress from Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota and Oregon.
Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., participated in the briefing and took a moment to talk
about the importance of finding a cure for psoriasis and the psoriasis legislation
he introduced in February in the House of Representatives.
Just last month, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., sponsored the bill in the U.S.
Senate (S. 1459). The bipartisan measure calls upon the federal government
through the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, and the Institute of Medicine to build their support for psoriasis and
psoriatic arthritis in four key areas. For more information, or to urge bill
sponsorship by members of Congress, go to www.psoriasis.org/advocacy.
About psoriasis
Psoriasis is a genetic, life-altering disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that can itch, crack and bleed. 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. 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 of millions of Americans with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, and their families. 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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