One hundred volunteers met in Washington , D.C. for the National Psoriasis Foundation annual Capitol Hill Day. After a half day of training on Sunday, they descended on Capitol Hill Monday, March 3 rd to advocate for the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure & Care Act - -PPARCCA. Our advocates did a superb job, evidenced by the fact that we picked up twelve new co-sponsors for the bill in a week!

Part of what made the event powerful this year was the participation of dermatologists, dermatology nurses, and psoriasis researchers. Mark Lebwohl and Jerry Bagel took time from their practices to join us for the two days. Among patient advocates, they were able to have a direct impact on government support for psoriasis – 4 members of Congress signed on to the bill from New York and New Jersey alone!

We also appreciate the dermatology nurses who attended Capitol Hill Day and appreciate the respective dermatology practices for supporting their participation:

Lisa Hutchings, Pariser Dermatology Specialists, VA

Jerri Wright, Northwest Eye and Skin Center (Dr. James Komorous ), WA

Kristen Gupta, Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis, OH

And finally, the advocates attending were impressed and moved by the attendance of “real” psoriasis researchers, Carl Edwards, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, and Allen Bruce, University of Michigan . One volunteer summed it up when she said… “ you don't know how much it meant to me to know that there was a real, live person who works on psoriasis research there with us on Capitol Hill fighting for a cure.” Her son, a nine-year old with psoriasis also attending Capitol Hill day, has included in his school report on Capitol Hill Day the fact that the researchers were involved.

We at the National Psoriasis Foundation extend our thanks and appreciation to these dedicated professionals for their commitment to psoriasis and to the gains we are making in research and better access to care.

Be part of the movement that is working for greater investment in research, improved access to care and a cure!    Join the Psoriasis Action Network today