2009 National Psoriasis Walk for Awareness
The first annual Salt Lake City Psoriasis Walk for Awareness, sponsored by the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) was held on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at Liberty Park. A total of 125 participants attended the event, including over 50 participants from the University of Utah Dermatology Department. As of June 8, the Salt Lake City walkers have raised over $19,205!
According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. People with psoriasis often face discrimination and embarrassment because others mistakenly fear the condition is contagious. Through Walk for Awareness, the NPF is building understanding about the disease at the community level. The more people know about psoriasis--that it is chronic, common and not contagious--the better the quality of life for people with the disease.
Next year, the Walk will be renamed "Walk for a Cure", to reflect the ultimate research goals of the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Although the actual event is over, you can still donate to the Salt Lake City event through the end of the month. Goodie bags are still available if you make a donation! (While supplies last - see Dr. Callis Duffin for details) Additionally, if you raise $500 before June 30, you will qualify for an opportunity to win a trip to the Blue Lagoon Spa in Iceland with airfare provided by Icelandair. Go www.psoriasis.org/walk and click on Salt Lake City to see the latest fundraising total, and click on "donate now."
On behalf of the National Psoriasis Foundation, THANK YOU to all of the volunteers, participants, and to those who have made donations to this effort. We will see you again next year!
