Oct. 29 is World Psoriasis Day. Why is this global day of recognition important to our community?

Many people are affected by psoriasis — a chronic disease of the immune system that appears as red scaly patches on the skin that crack and bleed.

Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the U.S .— as many as 7.5 million Americans have it — yet people with the disease often face discrimination in public places because others fear psoriasis is contagious. It’s not.

It’s time we recognized psoriasis for what it is — a painful, disfiguring, disabling disease for which there is no cure. Yet.

On Oct. 29, I encourage everyone who has psoriasis to combat the fear and ignorance surrounding the disease by joining me and thousands of others along with the National Psoriasis Foundation, in raising awareness that psoriasis is a serious disease that deserves serious attention. Go to www.psoriasis.org to help us find a cure.

Heather Lee Adams

Cumberland