News and Events News Archive

2002 National Conference Summary: Friday

More than 400 people from 29 states and Canada gathered in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 9-11, for the 2002 National Conference. For everyone, the theme of the conference was the same: connecting with people and knowledge.

To illustrate the conference theme, here is a description of some of the events that took place and the people who were there.

Friday

Saturday: morning afternoon evening

Sunday

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

A social event on Friday night set the tone for the weekend. After registering, attendees were treated to a 1950s theme reception that featured a speech by former child television star Jerry Mathers of "Leave It To Beaver." As spokesman for the Psoriasis Foundation's special public education program, "Step Into My Skin," Mr. Mathers is touring the country to spread the word about psoriasis and a new class of treatments for the disease called biologics.

"There is hope in emerging treatments and there is comfort in sharing our stories and knowing we are not alone in living with this disease," Mr. Mathers said.

While a deejay spun tunes from the 1950s, attendees socialized and explored the display booths set up in the large room by companies with psoriasis products or treatments. Mr. Mathers stayed throughout the event, signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Some, like 16-year-old Louis Sommo, probably had not seen any of the episodes of "Leave It To Beaver," but knew someone who did. "I got an autographed picture of Mathers for my dad, and had my picture taken with him," he said.

Louis sent the Psoriasis Foundation his report on the conference a day after returning home. For more on his experience as well as the experiences of other young people at the conference, see Making Friends at the National Conference.