Welcome to the first in a series of regular e-bulletin newsletters dedicated to the first ever World Psoriasis Day, to be held on 29th October 2004.   HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF WORLD PSORIASIS DAY WHO IS INVOLVED? AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF WORLD PSORIASIS DAY KEY COMMUNICATION MESSAGES FOR WORLD PSORIASIS DAY LOCAL EVENTS FOR WORLD PSORIASIS DAY EVENTS CALENDAR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Who has joined in? Where can I find more information? How can I get involved? How was 29th October chosen as the date for World Psoriasis Day? I don't have time to get involved this year. Will I be able to participate in the next World Psoriasis Day?

With the success of other world health days, psoriasis patient groups have for a number of years been discussing the idea of a World Psoriasis Day.

On 21st July this year, an independent Steering Committee (consisting of members and non-members of psoriasis associations) met and agreed to launch World Psoriasis Day on 29th October 2004. They also outlined the aims and objectives, key messages and plans for an international programme of events to mark this day.

The Steering Committee is keen to involve as many psoriasis patients and associations as possible in World Psoriasis Day. Serono is a biotechnology company committed to developing innovative treatment solutions for psoriasis and are proud to support World Psoriasis Day in terms of funding the coordination of international and local activities and assisting in other ways. PHASE II International, an event management agency, is acting as a central administration secretariat for WPD activities. Tonic Life Communications will be managing centrally organised media activities related to the programme of events.

However, to make World Psoriasis Day a success, we need your help.

1. Raise Awareness
2. Promote Better Access to Therapies
3. Deliver Information and / Knowledge
4. Provide A Patient Voice Platform
5. Use 2004 to Launch the Day

1. Psoriasis is not contagious
2. Psoriasis is not exclusive - anyone can get it
3. 125 million people with psoriasis deserve a voice
4. Everyone with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis - you are not alone
5. Psoriasis is not a cosmetic disease: psoriasis is a legitimate disease
6. Listen to patients: let people with psoriasis speak for themselves, let them be informed about, and have a choice in, treatments

From sponsored roller skating tours to press conferences and TV interviews, many of the organisations listed below are organising a variety of small- and large-scale events in their countries to celebrate the inaugural World Psoriasis Day.

22nd September - www.worldpsoriasisday.com goes live
1st October - Second World Psoriasis Day Stakeholders/Supporters Meeting, Copenhagen
29th October - WORLD PSORIASIS DAY - local activities

Individuals with psoriasis around the world; local, national and international psoriasis associations and everyone who wants to help improve public understanding of psoriasis.

The World Psoriasis Day website (www.worldpsoriasisday.com) will be set up in mid-September, and will include information updates on local events and details of psoriasis associations throughout the world.

Contact your local or national psoriasis association, visit www.worldpsoriasisday.com, or email getintouch@worldpsoriasisday.com.

This date was chosen following examination of the World Health Organisation events diary, to avoid clashes with other world health days.

Absolutely. In essence, this year is the announcement that World Psoriasis Day will happen on the 29th October of each and every year. To make World Psoriasis Day 2005 a truly international event, it is crucial that as many people around the world get involved as possible. A new Steering Committee will be set up for World Psoriasis Day 2005 - watch this space for details on how to get involved.

Do you have any comments, suggestions or requests for the next issue?
We'd love to hear from you!
Email us on getintouch@worldpsoriasisday.com