>> The
evolving treatment of psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis
For a number of years patient associations discussed
the idea of having an annual day specially dedicated
to people with psoriasis - after all there is a World
AIDs Day, a No Tobacco Day and there's even an International
Internet-Free Day. However without sponsorship or other
financial support, the idea could not get off the ground.
Serono helped the idea become a reality in 2004, by
providing sponsorship, support and invaluable resources.
Their generous backing enabled the formation of an independent
Steering
Committee (consisting of members and non-members
of psoriasis associations from different countries around
the world). This committee met in July 2004 in order
to define the overall purpose and key messages of WPD.
The global consortium of patients and patient associations
agreed that 2004 would mark the launch year for WPD
and that the 29th of October would be set as the date
for WPD 2004 and WPDs to come.
Thanks to the motivation and determination of its supporters
and with the generous sponsorship from Serono, a wide
variety of activities took place around the world in
the lead up to WPD 2004. These efforts - ranging from
the distribution of leaflets and postcards to the staging
of an ice-hockey event - helped to make the inaugural
WPD a huge success, generating a worldwide media reach
of 402,852,286!
29 October is World Psoriasis Day this year too. Its
primary purpose is to act as a focus for people - patients,
doctors, nurses and the general public - to raise awareness
of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to give people
with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis the attention
and consideration they deserve. World Psoriasis Day
is also useful as a channel to encourage health authorities
to offer better access to the most appropriate treatments.
Have a browse around this website to read more about
the initiative - see what your local psoriasis patient
associations are doing in support of the day and what
events are being planned in your country. This is an
evolving site and every voice counts: you might like
to get involved yourself.
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