Psoriasis Walk organized to support the research and education programs of Psoriasis Cure Now

The first-ever New Jersey Psoriasis Walk will take place in Paramus this Saturday, September 12, 2009, at beautiful Van Saun Park. The walk, to support the research and education programs of the nonprofit Psoriasis Cure Now, will include entertainment, information booths on psoriasis treatments, and a chance to meet and learn from others living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Janine Natoli of Little Falls is volunteer Chair of the NJ Psoriasis Walk, on the Web at http://www.PsoriasisWalkNJ.org.

"To me, the Psoriasis Walk is all about raising awareness and increasing research," said Natoli. "Many people still think psoriasis is contagious, and others don't know how severe it can be. The Walk can educate the public about this serious immune system disease, while helping to drive research funding higher. It's also a great chance for psoriasis patients to step out and meet others with the disease. Too many people with psoriasis are living pretty much in isolation."

Registration for the walk will begin at 9:00 a.m., and the walk will start at 10 a.m. The address is 216 Forest Ave., Area I - Waterfront Pavilion, Van Saun Park, Paramus, NJ. There is no charge to participate in the Psoriasis Walk, although pre-registration is encouraged via the Web site or by calling 1-877-WALK-PCN. After Paramus, the Psoriasis Walk will move to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Charlotte in October.

"A central goal of our Psoriasis Walks is to turn patients, their families and friends into advocates," added Michael Paranzino, president of Psoriasis Cure Now and a psoriasis patient himself. "A highlight is our Advocacy Corner at each Walk, where participants can record video testimonials that will be uploaded to YouTube and distributed to opinion leaders nationwide. These compelling video vignettes will educate the public and ultimately improve the lives of those with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis."

Sponsors of the Psoriasis Walk include Amgen & Wyeth, Abbott, and Centocor Ortho Biotech. Psoriasis is an incurable, recurring disease of the immune system that causes dry, painful skin lesions that itch, crack and bleed, and often includes arthritic symptoms. Recent studies have found that psoriasis increases the risk of heart attack, and severe psoriasis reduces life expectancy by an average of four years.