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(HealthNewsDigest.com)-Grammy Award-winner LeAnn Rimes is calling on lawmakers to help find a cure for psoriasis so not another child will have to face what she did growing up with this disease.
“I was first diagnosed with psoriasis as a toddler. There were times in my childhood when I was covered with red, itchy patches over most of my body,” Rimes said. “Imagine your skin’s on fire, that’s what psoriasis feels like. No one should ever have to experience that pain.”
Psoriasis is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases in the country, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans. Psoriasis is a noncontagious, chronic, inflammatory, painful disease for which there is no cure.
In addition, psoriasis frequently occurs with a range of other health concerns including Crohn’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, metabolic syndrome and obesity.
Rimes has made two trips to Washington, D.C., lobbying senators and representatives about the importance of funding research into this often-overlooked disease.
On Capitol Hill, Rimes advocated for members of Congress to support $1.5 million in funding to create a national psoriasis patient registry and encouraged them to co-sponsor the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure and Care Act, the first and only comprehensive psoriasis legislation.
Like most Americans, few legislators are aware that psoriasis affects so many people and is disfiguring and disabling. People with psoriasis suffer from low self-esteem, public discrimination and a general lack of understanding of the disease even among doctors.
“Psoriasis affects more Americans than almost any other autoimmune disease, yet the federal government’s research investment amounts to just $1.38 per patient per year,” said Rick Seiden, chair of the National Psoriasis Foundation Board of Trustees.
“We don’t know what exactly causes this disease or how it evolves. Why does one person experience lesions all over her body while another person has spots just on his elbows? How is psoriasis linked to psoriatic arthritis and other diseases? When multiplied by the millions of lives affected, it is imperative we find the answers to these questions and more,” Seiden continued.
Rimes has met with key members of Congress including Sens. Arlen Specter (D-PA), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Reps. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) to talk about the bill and tell them her story.
Rimes says people with psoriasis should take action right away to help themselves and others.
“If you or someone you love has psoriasis, it’s time to speak up,” she said. “First, get the treatment you need and deserve. Then let your representatives in Congress know that we need their help to find a cure and make life better for millions of Americans.”
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rimes during the singer’s visit. Boxer is a co-sponsor of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure and Care Act.
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