The National Psoriasis Foundation and support groups
People with psoriasis, seeking to connect to others with the disease, created the National Psoriasis Foundation in 1968. Their goal was to bring people together, educate each other, educate the public, and support research to ultimately find a cure. Today, the Psoriasis Foundation works to achieve these same goals on both national and local levels.
The mission of the National Psoriasis Foundation is to improve the quality of life of people who have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Through education and advocacy, we promote awareness and understanding, ensure access to treatment, and support research that will lead to effective management and, ultimately, a cure.
Based in Portland, Ore., the Psoriasis Foundation staff works to achieve its mission with specific programs and wide-reaching communications. However, we know that these day-to-day efforts, and benefits to people with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, can be furthered through the work of support groups in local communities.
Support groups are, in the broadest sense, an arena of exchange—an exchange of information, education, resources, etc.—where those who help and those who are helped are often the same person and always peers. No matter what else they do, support groups by their very nature, offer an opportunity for emotional exchange—or sharing.
Support group leaders are key to the success of the support group. As group facilitators, leaders engage others in a common effort toward a shared goal. Together they examine their own experiences and seek to come to individual conclusions. The goal is the collaborative exploration of ideas and issues. The National Psoriasis Foundation seeks to assist support group leaders in this challenging and important role by providing financial support, training, materials and key connections.
Unlike chapters, which many nonprofit organizations operate to further their mission and financial resources, support groups do not have a board of directors or hierarchy of officers. Support groups, such as the ones developed under the umbrella of the National Psoriasis Foundation, are part of a program and services element of the Foundation. The purpose of Psoriasis Foundation support groups is threefold: to enhance awareness and education about psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, to help psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis patients with advocacy needs and to spread the word of our efforts in order to generate funds toward research and, ultimately, a cure.
Thinking about starting a group in your local community? Learn more.
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