Tim Gunn Hosts Addressing Psoriasis(TM) Fashion Show to Raise Awareness of Psoriasis
September 02 2009 - 12:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Eight Contest Winners Model Custom-Designed Outfits to Show that
Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis Does Not Impact Their Personal
Style Cynthia McGowen of League City, Texas Named Most
Inspirational, as Voted by the Public on AddressPsoriasis.com NEW
YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Tim Gunn, television host and
fashion consultant ("Project Runway," "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style")
and chief creative officer of Liz Claiborne, Inc., is hosting the
Addressing Psoriasis(TM) Fashion Show, sponsored by Amgen and
Wyeth, in New York City. The fashion show recognizes people with
moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who have not allowed the
condition to inhibit their personal style. Winners of the
Addressing Psoriasis(TM) contest are walking the runway in
custom-designed outfits created by emerging talent from the Fashion
Institute of Technology (FIT) to help raise public awareness of
psoriasis. To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/amgen/39934/ (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090902/NY69569 )
"Participating in the Addressing Psoriasis(TM) campaign and meeting
these eight special people has been an honor," said Gunn. "They are
an inspiration to the psoriasis community because they have proven
that psoriasis does not need to stand in the way of personal style.
I congratulate them all on their efforts to overcome the style
challenges that this chronic medical condition can present." The
Addressing Psoriasis(TM) Fashion Show is the culmination of an
awareness campaign designed to help people with plaque psoriasis
get more information about managing their disease and feel more
confident in their everyday style. The eight contest winners were
selected from among hundreds of entries and were chosen based on
the inspirational nature of their story about overcoming the
challenges of living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and
how it has impacted their personal style and the clothing they
wear. Since July, thousands of people from the general public -
including those without psoriasis - have cast their votes to select
the most inspirational story from among the eight winners. Today,
Gunn is announcing that Cynthia McGowen of League City, Texas has
been voted the most inspirational. "Walking the runway in the
Addressing Psoriasis(TM) Fashion Show has been so exciting. I am
thrilled my story was voted as the most inspirational, although I
truly believe that all of the winners had very inspiring stories to
share," said Cynthia McGowen. "Once I learned more about my
condition and how to manage it with the help of my dermatologist, I
was able to see style as less of a challenge and more of a fun way
to present myself to the world. I hope that others who live with
this condition are able to take back their style too." The winners'
stories, as well as footage of the Addressing Psoriasis(TM) Fashion
Show will be available on http://www.addresspsoriasis.com/. The Web
site also features useful resources about psoriasis - including
links to the American Academy of Dermatology, National Psoriasis
Foundation and Psoriasis Cure Now - and style tips from Gunn.
Psoriasis, which affects nearly 7 million Americans, is a chronic
disease of the immune system that causes the skin cells to grow at
an accelerated rate. Although there are several types of psoriasis,
approximately 80 percent of psoriasis patients have plaque
psoriasis, which causes itchy, red scaly patches which may be
painful. People with psoriasis often experience feelings of
self-consciousness and choose their clothing because of the
appearance of their skin. About Addressing Psoriasis(TM) The
Addressing Psoriasis(TM) campaign was developed to inspire people
with plaque psoriasis to be confident and not allow the condition
to inhibit their everyday style. Addressing Psoriasis(TM) is
sponsored by Amgen and Wyeth with participation from the American
Academy of Dermatology, the National Psoriasis Foundation and
Psoriasis Cure Now. To learn more about Addressing Psoriasis(TM)
and view Official Rules, visit http://www.addresspsoriasis.com/.
About Amgen and Wyeth Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and
delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer
since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new
science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from
lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have
changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around
the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid
arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad
pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to
advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn
more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit
http://www.amgen.com/. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth,
has leading products in the areas of women's health care,
infectious disease, gastrointestinal health, central nervous
system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology,
vaccines and nutritional products. Wyeth is one of the world's
largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products
companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development,
manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines,
biotechnology products and non-prescription medicines that improve
the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major
divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
and Fort Dodge Animal Health. To learn more, visit
http://www.wyeth.com/. About American Academy of Dermatology
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of
Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most
influential, and most representative of all dermatologic
associations. With a membership of more than 16,000 physicians
worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and
medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and
nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education,
and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient
care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more
information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or
http://www.aad.org/. About National Psoriasis Foundation The
National Psoriasis Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit
patient advocacy organization and the voice for millions of
Americans who are affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Our mission is to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
and to eliminate their devastating effects through research,
advocacy and education. For more information, call the Psoriasis
Foundation at 800-723-9166, or visit http://www.psoriasis.org/.
About Psoriasis Cure Now Psoriasis Cure Now is a nonprofit
organization fueled by a nationwide network of volunteers. Our
focus is on accelerating the search for a cure by mobilizing people
in support of increased research funding for psoriasis and
psoriatic arthritis. We also work to educate psoriasis patients
about their treatment options and the public about the seriousness
of psoriasis. http://www.psoriasis-cure-now.org/. About the Fashion
Institute of Technology The Fashion Institute of Technology is a
college of art and design, business and technology of the State
University of New York with more than 40 majors, including Fashion
Design. The Fashion Design degree program at FIT prepares students
to excel and flourish in the fashion industry. The program's
philosophy focuses on individual student development with an
emphasis on professionalism. The learning environment broadens
students' aesthetics, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
FIT's Fashion Design program leads to the Associate of Applied
Sciences and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees.
http://www.fitnyc.edu/html/dynamic.html. CONTACT: Amgen Sonia
Fiorenza, (media) Office: 805-447-1604 Wyeth Danielle Halstrom,
(media) Office: 484-865-2020
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090902/NY69569http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/amgen/39934DATASOURCE:
Amgen Inc. CONTACT: Media, Sonia Fiorenza of Amgen,
+1-805-447-1604; or Danielle Halstrom of Wyeth, +1-484-865-2020 Web
Site: http://www.amgen.com/
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