Join us for a Psoriasis Walk

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Some good news to start off the year. Your letters to Congress, visits to Capitol Hill, and public awareness efforts are bearing fruit. Newly released figures for 2009 show that the US government, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), funded a record amount of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research last year. Funding reached $16 million in 2009 ($13 million in base funding plus another $3 million as part of the Stimulus Bill). By way of comparison, back in 2005, the total budget was just $6 million.

That dramatic growth means more very bright scientists can pursue more leads into the immune system underpinnings of psoriasis and how best to treat it.

You can read more and view a funding chart by clicking here .

But we're not done in Washington, DC. For one, it's important not to let psoriasis research fall back to its old, low levels. In fact, we continue to believe that $20 million is a more appropriate annual level for psoriasis research, based on current funding for comparable diseases. Also, because psoriasis research was neglected for so many years, the aggregate total spent on psoriasis research since 1995 is some $40 million shy of where it would be had psoriasis research funding simply kept pace with the growth of other medical research since that time.

But we'll fret about that tomorrow. Today, let's just be thankful that psoriasis is finally getting the attention it deserves from the US government.


Join us for a Psoriasis Walk

The Psoriasis Walk is headed, we hope, to a location near you. (Or perhaps a road trip is in order?) Please join us at one of these great locations in 2010:

Boston
Charlotte
Chicago
Tampa
Nashville
Atlanta
Baltimore
Los Angeles
New York/NJ
Philadelphia

Hundreds of walkers participated in our 2009 walks - making new friends and finding support, while raising money and awareness for the cause. You won't want to miss the Psoriasis Walk in 2010!

Registration is now open for all our Walks, and leadership committees are now forming. To learn more or to register, visit www.PsoriasisWalk.org , email walk@psoriasis-cure-now.org , or call toll-free, 1-877-925-5726, and ask for Anthony Buffone, our Walks Director. There are many ways to help, both big and small. We hope to see you at a Psoriasis Walk!


Psoriasis support: 24/7/365 ... worldwide

The Psoriasis Walk is one great way to meet others who care about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Another is our online social network for the psoriasis community at www.Psoriasis.Name . Join this booming community today, where we're sharing treatment tips and coping strategies, and supporting each other, all from the comfort of our computers. Check it out and join the conversation.

In addition, you can find us on Facebook. And on Twitter.


Keep the momentum going

Please consider making a secure, tax deductible donation to Psoriasis Cure Now to help us grow our army of psoriasis advocates. Thanks!


Help us help others...we need your ideas in 3 areas...

1) We hear regularly from people without insurance and/or otherwise struggling economically, seeking ideas for treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis when money is tight. What are YOUR ideas to help people treat psoriasis without breaking the bank?

2) When someone is first diagnosed or has that first psoriasis flare, it can be overwhelming. What is your advice to people newly diagnosed with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis?

3) Kids and teens also get psoriasis, and it's tough on them, AND their parents. What advice do you have for children, teens and parents grappling with this disease?

Email your thoughts to advice@psoriasis-cure-now.org , and we'll share your ideas with the more than 15,000 psoriasis patients and their loved ones who come to us for information and support monthly.


Thanks

We would like to thank our first Diamond Sponsors of 2010, Amgen and Pfizer; and our 2010 Supporting Sponsor, Daavlin.

As always, thanks too for your support and please let us know if we can ever be of service. See you at a Psoriasis Walk!


Michael Paranzino
President
Psoriasis Cure Now
A nonprofit organization
P.O. Box 2544
Kensington, MD 20891
(301) 571-2393 phone