Month: February 2022

2022-02-14T06:01:00

(BPT) – Meet David and Linda:

Their first date was in Linda’s apartment, writing a Sunday school lesson while making beef stroganoff. Linda decided that day that she would marry David. While it took David a little longer, he was smitten and four years later they were married and living out their love story.

Eight years into David and Linda’s happily ever after, David noticed an alarming change in Linda. She had begun to experience extreme fatigue and vertigo, accompanied by mental fog and severe headaches. At David’s insistence, Linda visited multiple doctors, who, following routine blood work, diagnosed her with a rare, chronic blood cancer – polycythemia vera (PV), which eventually progressed into another rare blood cancer known as myelofibrosis (MF).

Linda’s MF was progressing at an extremely fast rate, which ultimately led to her oncologist sharing that the couple could expect to have three to five more years together – and that they should make the most of them. Facing this grave warning, David and Linda clung together and refused to give up. David committed himself to learning how to best care for Linda, promising her that he would do everything in his power to support her during this frightening time, while Linda focused inward on her strength in the face of this seemingly insurmountable obstacle.

With encouragement from their doctors, they began proactively looking into the possibility of an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The transplantation would have its own short-term and long-term risks, including a condition known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), but would be the only option available to save Linda’s life.[1] Luckily, they found a viable donor in Linda’s family and together, as they approach all things in life, Linda and David chose to move forward with the life-saving procedure.

See Something, Say Something

Six weeks post-transplantation Linda began experiencing rash-like symptoms and quickly reported it to her doctors. This was the first sign of Linda’s new condition – acute GVHD. This complication may occur post-transplantation and is primarily an inflammatory reaction, set off by the new immune cells from the donor (the graft) that are now inside the recipient’s body (the host).[2] Unfortunately for Linda, acute GVHD occurs in about 30% to 40% of people who receive cells from a donor.[2]

Since Linda’s GVHD was identified and caught at such an early stage, her healthcare team was able to fight it. Three months post-procedure, Linda was in remission and the couple returned home. Unfortunately, that was not the end of their journey with GVHD. During the next two years, Linda experienced two episodes of chronic GVHD. Each time Linda quickly told her medical team the moment symptoms began to emerge, allowing for swift action. David credits their quick acting to his wife’s well-worn adage, “See something, say something,” a rule they continue to live by.

Today, almost 5 years post-procedure, Linda is in complete remission. The couple credits their love and devotion to each other for carrying them through this difficult time, and today they continue to face the future, together.

While Linda and David caught her symptoms early and were able to act fast, it’s important to be aware of potential symptoms of GVHD post-transplantation. Being vigilant about changes in your own health or in the health of those you care for is an important component in keeping safe and staying healthy. For those impacted by GHVD, there are resources, like symptoms checklists, that offer helpful ways to monitor your own or a loved one’s symptoms post-transplantation. Additional resources are available at GVHDNow.com.

How you could save the life of a loved one or a stranger

David and Linda’s happily ever after was given more time through the assistance of several medical innovations, as well as the generosity of her family member’s stem cell donation. In honor of National Donor Day on February 14^th, the couple encourages everyone to learn more about becoming a donor and joining Be The Match’s Donor Registry. It only takes one swab to save someone’s whole world – and you can play a part in similar love stories, like David and Linda’s.

© 2022, Incyte Corporation MAT-HEM-02741 02/22

2022-02-11T09:01:00

(BPT) – Jeff was in his late teens when he broke out into a rash of dark, itchy spots that eventually drove him to see a dermatologist. This doctor diagnosed him with systemic mastocytosis (SM), a rare disease that causes the body to overproduce mast cells – a key cell type of the immune system. What Jeff didn’t know was the skin rash was just the beginning of his journey with SM.

It’s been 30 years since Jeff’s diagnosis and since then, his doctors determined he has Advanced SM, a subtype of SM. About 95% of patients with Advanced SM have a KIT D816V mutation – a genetic change that can cause abnormal mast cells to build up in different organs, such as the skin, bone marrow and digestive tract, and may lead to life-threatening effects. While everyone’s experience with Advanced SM is unique, Jeff has had a number of recurring and unpredictable symptoms.

“I had a skin rash known as urticaria pigmentosa all over my body, which would sometimes clump together and look like large bruises or lesions,” said Jeff. “On top of being in physical pain due to the disease, my skin condition caused me to be self-conscious in public.”

He eventually ended his career in construction. He had a swollen spleen, and swelling in his legs made it a “project” to walk up a flight of stairs.

“People with Advanced SM often have limited ability to perform daily activities, because the disease can cause a range of serious, unpredictable symptoms,” said Lauren Denton, Executive Director of The Mast Cell Disease Society.

At one point, Jeff’s disease caused severe anemia and he was hospitalized for multiple weeks to receive blood transfusions. Although Jeff recovered, years later he faced significant weight loss of about 25% of his body weight and critical anemia recurred, requiring transfusions once again.

Jeff visited his local healthcare team, who were unable to help manage the disease’s complications. After trying a form of chemotherapy, he had been told that there were no other options to manage his disease.

“For patients with Advanced SM, additional therapeutic options are needed to help reduce the disease burden and its impact on the body’s organs. It’s also important for these patients to be educated on how to manage their activities of daily living,” said Valerie Slee, Board Chair of The Mast Cell Disease Society.

Targeting the Primary Cause of Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis

Before losing hope, Jeff connected with a family friend who recommended he visit a medical specialist who was treating patients with Advanced SM.

In January 2018, this doctor enrolled Jeff in a clinical trial for avapritinib (now known as AYVAKIT^®). The treatment was designed to help slow the growth of mast cells and target the underlying KIT D816V mutation that drives about 95% of Advanced SM cases.

AYVAKIT is a prescription medicine approved by the FDA in June 2021 to treat adults with Advanced SM, including aggressive SM, SM with an associated hematological neoplasm, and mast cell leukemia. AYVAKIT is not recommended for the treatment of Advanced SM in people with low platelet counts (less than 50 x 10⁹/L). It is not known if AYVAKIT is safe and effective in children. AYVAKIT may cause serious side effects including bleeding in the brain, cognitive side effects and embryo-fetal toxicity.

Please see Important Safety Information below.

Impact of Treatment

While individual experiences will vary, Jeff continues to respond to AYVAKIT since he started the treatment. His strength has improved, and the amount of skin lesions has reduced. The swelling in Jeff’s legs has eased, although it can flare up after a long day on his feet. He is participating in activities he loves, including golfing and playing softball, and has taken on part-time jobs, such as coaching youth sports.

Jeff works with his healthcare team to help manage side effects, including nausea and swelling in his hands and face, while he is on treatment. The most common side effects of AYVAKIT in people with Advanced SM include fluid retention or swelling, diarrhea, nausea, tiredness, and changes in certain blood tests. Jeff’s doctors also closely monitor his blood counts for treatment response and other potential side effects.

“My biggest piece of advice for people living with Advanced SM is to seek out disease specialists and ask about treatment options that may be right for them,” said Jeff.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR AYVAKIT

AYVAKIT may cause serious side effects, including:
Bleeding in your brain. Serious bleeding in the brain may happen during treatment with AYVAKIT and may lead to death. Stop taking AYVAKIT and tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any symptoms such as severe headache, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, or severe weakness on one or more side of your body. Your healthcare provider will check your platelet counts before and during treatment with AYVAKIT.

Cognitive effects. Cognitive side effects are common with AYVAKIT and can be severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening cognitive symptoms including forgetfulness, confusion, getting lost, trouble thinking, drowsiness, trouble staying awake (somnolence), word-finding problems, seeing objects or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), or a change in mood or behavior.

Before taking AYVAKIT, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have low platelet counts
• have bulging or weakening of a blood vessel wall (aneurysm) or history of bleeding in your brain
• have a history of stroke within the last year
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. AYVAKIT can cause harm to your unborn baby
  • Females who are able to become pregnant: your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start AYVAKIT. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with AYVAKIT and for 6 weeks after the final dose of AYVAKIT. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with AYVAKIT.
  • Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 6 weeks after the final dose of AYVAKIT.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if AYVAKIT passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with AYVAKIT and for at least 2 weeks after the final dose of AYVAKIT. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during this time

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. AYVAKIT may affect the way other medicines work, and certain other medicines may affect how AYVAKIT works. Talk to your healthcare provider prior to starting a new medicine.

Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery if you have confusion or trouble thinking during treatment with AYVAKIT.

The most common side effects of AYVAKIT in people with AdvSM include fluid retention or swelling, diarrhea, nausea, tiredness, and changes in certain blood tests.

Your healthcare provider may change your dose, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with AYVAKIT if you develop certain side effects. AYVAKIT may cause fertility problems in females and may decrease sperm production in males, which may affect your ability to have a child. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you. These are not all of the possible side effects of AYVAKIT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for AYVAKIT at www.AYVAKIT.com.

This content was developed by Blueprint Medicines Corporation, the manufacturer of AYVAKIT.

Blueprint Medicines, AYVAKIT and associated logos are trademarks of Blueprint Medicines Corporation.

01/2022 USBP-CORAVAASM-21.003.1

2022-02-11T10:17:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company

The winter season is a special time of year. Many look forward to spending time with family and friends, sipping hot cocoa or getting cozy by the fire. Unfortunately, however, this festive time of year can also be accompanied by stress and discomfort for someone living with chronic diseases. Nearly 125 million people globally live with psoriasis – an autoimmune disease impacting their skin. The most typical form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, which presents as raised, red patches covered with a silvery-white buildup of dead skin cells.

Sam is a husband, father, youth mentor and basketball coach, and he is one of the millions of people impacted by moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. For years, he experienced discomfort and everyday difficulties due to his skin plaques. Fortunately, Sam was able to find relief with Taltz^® (ixekizumab) injection 80 mg/mL. Learn more about patients like Sam and their experience with Taltz.

Taltz is a prescription medicine for people 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet or UV light (phototherapy). Taltz affects the immune system. It may increase your risk of infections, which can be serious. Do not use Taltz if you have any symptoms of infection, unless your doctor tells you to. If you have a symptom after starting Taltz, call your doctor right away.

Think you might have plaque psoriasis? Understanding key signs and symptoms

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune disease that may begin in childhood or adulthood and occurs when the immune system is overactive. This leads new skin cells to grow too rapidly. The most typical result is red, scaly patches that develop on your body. For Sam, these symptoms began in his teens and gradually worsened. “When I was first diagnosed, it was in fairly small areas that were irritating and itchy, and as it progressed to cover more parts of the body, especially my legs and torso, I was devastated.”

The plaques on his skin made Sam’s job as a basketball coach challenging and uncomfortable, especially as areas such as his legs and arms were often exposed to teammates during practice. As the air became more dry in the winter, Sam’s itchiness and skin dryness often increased. “Continued scratching meant the scales were everywhere – in my bed after sleeping, in my socks, especially if I was wearing dark clothes. Sometimes they would be on my legs from the knees down or on my arms. When they were on my scalp, I looked like I had bad dandruff.”

Psoriasis in the winter months

The winter season is a time Sam enjoys spending with his loved ones. “I love the holidays! My mom used to bring our family together, and I’d like to think I’ve continued that tradition. There’s nothing like family, and we all love to spend time with each other. During the holidays, all of us – my siblings, our kids – get together to have dinner. It’s a nice tradition that we look forward to every year.”

However, as the cold weather arrived, Sam’s symptoms often worsened. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), nearly half of people living with psoriasis rank the winter season as the most difficult time for their disease due to factors such as reduced sunlight exposure, lack of humidity and heightened stress levels around the holidays.

“In Michigan, it’s very dry in the wintertime. That’s mainly when it would result in flaky and patchy skin. It was very embarrassing.”

Sam leans on his family for support

While Sam cherishes seasonal activities with his loved ones, his plaque psoriasis impacted his desire to see family and friends around the holidays. “Family is more loving, but it still bothered me because I knew it was there. If it was visible and people could see it, it would make me feel self-conscious and embarrassed. Younger kids or siblings who didn’t understand would sometimes ask, ‘What’s up with Uncle Sam?’”

Sam described the impactful meaning of his family’s support and his desire to strengthen connections with his loved ones. “At the beginning, no one really understood what it was. My mom and my dad helped me. My dad used to say, ‘Don’t worry about what people think! It’s not contagious and you’re not going to hurt anyone. Have confidence in yourself.’ Now, my family doesn’t even remember I have it.”

Searching no more: Taltz (ixekizumab) helped Sam find relief

Sam was looking for a new treatment that could offer him a chance at completely clear skin. After his dermatologist recommended and started him on Taltz, an FDA-approved treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. After beginning treatment with Taltz, Sam quickly experienced symptom relief in the areas of his skin that were bothering him the most. “I started to see relief from Taltz quickly, and I am so happy with the results. I don’t see the traces of psoriasis that I used to. Now that I’m on Taltz, my skin is virtually clear.”

Since experiencing relief of his symptoms, Sam chooses clothing he previously struggled to wear and proudly enjoys coaching and mentoring his athletes. “I used to only grab for sweatpants and long sleeve shirts all the time because I was ashamed, and it was incredibly uncomfortable. It was stressful because it inhibited me from doing what I wanted to do. It’s so important to me to be able to show my legs and show some skin like basketball players do!”

With clear skin, he also looks forward to spending time with his family each holiday season. “Time flies and tomorrow isn’t promised, so over the years you never know who’s going to be with you. I really believe there’s nothing like family, and I love and cherish the time spent with my family.”

Ask your doctor about treatment options like Taltz

Sam recommends talking to your doctor about available treatment options, including Taltz, if you are looking for the possibility of complete skin clearance. “When I come across people with plaque psoriasis, I tell them that they should see their dermatologist,” said Sam.

Sam discovered Taltz Together^TM, a program that provides assistance as you begin Taltz and offers resources throughout your treatment. The program aided Sam in navigating the approval process with his insurance company, and he suggests it to anyone who feels concerned about their treatment costs.

If you have moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, talk to your doctor about Taltz to see if it is the right treatment for you.

*This article represents Sam’s personal experiences. While Sam saw complete clearance with Taltz, individual results may vary. In clinical trials, at 12 weeks, up to 90 percent of people saw significant improvement of their psoriasis, and four out of ten people achieved completely clear skin.

Sam was compensated for his time.

PURPOSE AND SAFETY SUMMARY

Important Facts About Taltz^® (tol-ts). It is a prescription medicine also known as ixekizumab.

Taltz is an injectable medicine used to treat:

• People 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet or UV light (phototherapy).
• Adults with active psoriatic arthritis.
• Adults with active ankylosing spondylitis.
• Adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation.

It is not known if Taltz is safe and effective in children for conditions other than plaque psoriasis or in children under 6 years of age.

Warnings

• Taltz affects the immune system. It may increase your risk of infections, which can be serious. Do not use Taltz if you have any symptoms of infection, unless your doctor tells you to. If you have a symptom after starting Taltz, call your doctor right away.
• Your doctor should check you for tuberculosis (TB) before you start Taltz, and watch you closely for signs of TB during and after treatment with Taltz.
• If you have TB, or had it in the past, your doctor may treat you for it before you start Taltz.
• Do not use Taltz if you have had a serious allergic reaction to ixekizumab or any other ingredient in Taltz, such as: swelling of your eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, feeling faint, throat or chest tightness, or skin rash. Get emergency help right away if you have any of these reactions. See the Medication Guide that comes with Taltz for a list of ingredients.
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease) can start or get worse with Taltz use. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms or if they get worse: stomach pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
• You should not get live vaccines while taking Taltz. You should get the vaccines you need before you start Taltz.

Common side effects

The most common side effects of Taltz include:

Injection site reactions	Upper respiratory infections
Nausea	Fungal skin infections

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before using

Before you use Taltz, review these questions with your doctor:

• Are you being treated for an infection?
• Do you have an infection that does not go away or keeps coming back?
• Do you have TB or have you been in close contact with someone with TB?
• Do you have possible symptoms of an infection such as fever, cough, sores, diarrhea, or other symptoms? Ask your doctor about other possible symptoms.
• Do you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?

Tell your doctor if:

• You need any vaccines or have had one recently.
• You take prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
• You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Taltz can harm an unborn baby.

Pregnancy Registry: If you become pregnant while taking Taltz, you are encouraged to enroll in the pregnancy registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider or call 1-800-284-1695 to enroll in the registry.

• You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Taltz passes into breastmilk.

How to take

See the instructions for use that come with Taltz. There you will find information about how to store, prepare, and inject Taltz. Adults may self-inject after receiving training from a healthcare provider.

For people under 18 years of age:

• Weighing less than 50 kg (i.e., 110 lb): Taltz must be given by a healthcare provider.
• Weighing more than 50 kg (i.e., 110 lb): If your healthcare provider decides that your caregiver may give your injections of Taltz at home, your caregiver should ask and receive training from a healthcare provider on the right way to prepare and inject Taltz.

Learn more

For more information, call 1-800-545-5979 or go to taltz.com.

This summary provides basic information about Taltz and is not comprehensive. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Be sure to talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about Taltz and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if Taltz is right for you.

IX CON BS 06JAN2022

PP-IX-US-5281 01/2022 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2022. All rights reserved.

Taltz Together™ is a trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.

Taltz^® is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

2022-02-11T11:31:00

(BPT) – People living with a chronic condition may experience stigmatization on a daily basis. Diane Talbert can relate; a patient-turned-advocate, she has fought her own battle with plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) for decades.

Diane often felt misunderstood and dismissed as the visible signs of her disease did not match with the images seen in medical textbooks. Delays in diagnosis and treatment compounded the effects of her psoriasis as she navigated the healthcare system as a Black woman, resulting in seemingly insurmountable medical and emotional challenges and obstacles.

She is not alone; living with plaque PsO and PsA is often more difficult for people of color, who may experience a different disease course compared to white patients. A study of African American patients with psoriasis showed that quality of life was worse in people of color compared to Caucasian patients.^1,2,3 Engaging medical professionals with knowledge of these conditions for skin of color could be a factor in mitigating delayed treatment.²

Diane turned her situation into a positive experience by learning the power of her voice and serving as a resource for others going through a similar struggle. To help change the psoriatic disease experience for all people affected, she has become an advocate, annual visitor to Capitol Hill, and speaker about autoimmune disease to a variety of groups.

Dr. Lynn McKinley-Grant, associate professor of dermatology at Howard University College of Medicine and president of the Skin of Color Society, and Diane are two of the passionate experts who have partnered with Janssen, a pharmaceutical company focused on innovations for some of the most devastating diseases and complex medical challenges of our time. This initiative, called Determi-Nation, comprises both healthcare and patient experts motivated to spark a health movement within plaque PsO and PsA. Members of this diverse, cross-functional team are all paid consultants for Janssen, and together are working to develop solutions with communities of color – bridging treatment and diagnosis gaps.

Respectively, Diane and Dr. McKinley-Grant reflected on the challenges of living with, and treating people who have, plaque PsO or PsA, and compiled five ways people of color can confidently advocate for their skin health.

1. Choose Providers Familiar with Skin of Color

On Caucasian skin, plaque PsO typically appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, or “scale.” However, on skin of color, plaques can be thicker with more scales than the surrounding skin and appear darker, less red, and more violet.^4,5,6 A diagnostic presentation for psoriasis is the plaques are symmetrical in all skin types.⁶ Therefore, Dr. McKinley-Grant stresses the importance of looking for healthcare providers experienced with skin of color.

“Find out where the dermatologist trained, if it was a community with people of color and if they have experience in treating psoriasis in patients of color,” Dr. McKinley-Grant says. “Research into the doctor’s background takes more effort in the beginning but may result in finding the best provider for your plaque psoriasis.” Also getting referrals from other patients and reading reviews on the internet are ways to assess the doctor.

2. Prioritize Clear Communication

Dr. McKinley-Grant considers active listening critical in the patient-provider relationship, saying that “clear, engaged communication can go a long way toward better disease management.” She goes on to note, “you should try to be open and honest about what you are experiencing and observe whether your provider is actively listening while you describe your condition.”

3. Listen to Your Body

As someone living with plaque PsO and PsA, Diane found strength in being an expert on her own disease by paying close attention to her body.

“Providers should understand that my life matters, and I deserve a diagnosis,” she says. “I had already versed myself in the limited research that was out there, and I wish I knew then that it’s okay to speak up and take note of what I’m noticing with my body.”

4. Bring Your Support Network

Living with a chronic disease, and implementing these learnings, understandably can seem like an enormous task. This is especially true for people with plaque PsO, who endure considerable challenges due to visible signs of the disease. As a result, they may have anxiety and can become depressed.^7,8

Recognizing that this disease can be an uncomfortable subject, Diane has found it helpful to lean on her husband, a trusted member of her support network, during the difficult moments. Having emotional support is invaluable when managing any chronic disease.

5. Utilize Resources

While people ultimately strive for in-person visits to cultivate the doctor-patient relationship, ask about remote ways to access information. Virtual office visits have numerous benefits, including the convenience of sharing your experiences and questions from a comfortable place.^9,10

There are also organizations, like the National Psoriasis Foundation, dedicated to supporting people living with these diseases.¹¹

While there is much work to do, Dr. McKinley-Grant, Diane, and the entire Determi-Nation expert team know that the most important step is to simply start the conversation!

For more information on Determi-Nation, visit https://www.jnj.com/health-and-wellness/advocating-for-yourself-at-the-dermatologist.

______________

¹ Kerr GS, Qaiyumi S, Richards J, et al. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in African-American patients–the need to measure disease burden. Clin Rheumatol. 2015;34(10):1753-1759.

² The National Psoriasis Foundation. Treating Skin of Color. Last accessed December 15, 2021. https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/treating-skin-of-color/

³ Aslam T, Mahmood F, Sabanathan A, Waxman R, Helliwell PS. A clinical and radiographic comparison of patients with psoriatic arthritis from different ethnic backgrounds. Rheumatology. 2021 Jan; 60(1):340-345.

⁴ The National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis Statistics. Last accessed December 15, 2021. https://www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-statistics/

⁵ Alexis AF, Blackcloud P. Psoriasis in skin of color: epidemiology, genetics, clinical presentation, and treatment nuances. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(11):16-24.

⁶ Skin of Color Society. Psoriasis. Last accessed December 15, 2021. https://skinofcolorsociety.org/patient-dermatology-education/psoriasis/#:~:text=Psoriasis%20is%20a%20common%20chronic,in%20African%20and%20Hispanic%20ethnicities.&text=It%20usually%20presents%20as%20thickened,elbows%2C%20knees%2C%20and%20back

⁷ Ferreira BI, Abreu JL, Reis JP, Figueiredo AM. Psoriasis and Associated Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review on Etiopathogenesis and Clinical Correlation. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(6):36-43. PMCID: PMC4928455.

⁸ Armstrong A, Schupp C, et al. Quality of Life and Work Productivity Impairment among Psoriasis Patients: Findings from the National Psoriasis Foundation Survey Data 2003–2011. PLOS ONE. 2012;7(12):1-6.

⁹ Gkrouzman E, Wu DD, et al. Telemedicine in Rheumatology at the Advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic. HSSJ. 2020;16(Suppl 1):108–111.

¹⁰ The National Psoriasis Foundation. Telemedicine Tears Down Barriers to Your Doctor. Last accessed December 15, 2021. https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/telemedicine-tears-down-barriers-to-your-doctor/

¹¹ The National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriasis. Last accessed December 15, 2021. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/

2022-02-11T15:19:00

(BPT) – February 14 might be known best as Valentine’s Day, but it is also fittingly National Donor Day. On a day dedicated to showing friends, family and neighbors how much they mean to us, there isn’t a better way to spread the love than having a heartfelt conversation with loved ones about organ, eye and tissue donation.

Kelly Lang of Golden, Colo. is grateful every day that she discussed and knew her daughter Perri’s decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.

Perri tragically passed away in a car accident when she was just 20 years old. The day she died was also the day she became a hero. Perri was able to give the gift of life to three people, donating her liver and both kidneys. She was able to change the lives of many more people through cornea and tissue donation.

“At the time that Perri and I discussed organ, eye and tissue donation I assumed we were talking about my wishes to be a donor,” said Lang. “Naturally, it seemed that Perri would be part of facilitating those wishes on my behalf. Not the other way around. But things don’t always go according to plan, and that is the primary reason for starting the conversation about donation. It’s never too soon.”

It takes heart to choose organ donation, but it also takes heart to tell your loved ones about your decision. There are many opportunities to second-guess the decisions made at the end of a loved one’s life. Lang said that knowing Perri’s decision and having had that heartfelt conversation removed any doubt about what Perri wanted.

“It just might be at the top of the list of the most loving things she ever did for me,” said Lang.

How you can help on National Donor Day

Right now, more than 1,500 people across Colorado and Wyoming are waiting on a lifesaving transplant. Anyone can sign up to become an organ, eye and tissue donor by saying Yes when they get or renew a driver license or state ID, or anytime at DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org.

Just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal more than 75 lives through eye and tissue donation. By signing up to become a donor and talking to your friends and family about donation, you can help save more lives. Starting the conversation can be hard, but your decision to become a donor cannot be changed by your family so it’s important for your loved ones to know about your decision to help others. Visit this guide for tips on how to start the conversation.