Help us make a difference

I am asking for your help with a cause that means a lot to me - the Walk to Cure Psoriasis.

The purpose of this walk is to increase awareness about psoriasis, while raising money for psoriasis education, advocacy and research. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. I am asking you to help me make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.

I am on the committee for the 2009 Dallas Walk to Cure Psoriasis. Last year Jacob, Riley, my wonderful friend Brooke and myself formed a small but successful little team. This year I am trying to have a larger team and earn even more money.

The Walk will be on November 7th in Dallas. I know that the distance and time away from your families will make this hard or even impossible for most of you to attend. You can however help us by generously contributing any amount of money. Team Jacob would like to raise $2,000 this years. Please help us reach this goal!!!

Jake developed psoriasis at the age of six

Jacob's story

Jacob was first diagnosed with psoriasis when he was six years old. Jacob went from minimal coverage to most of his body covered in psoriasis plaque. We went from doctor to doctor trying to get our little boy some relief and help. We tried countless medications and light therapy but after months of these treatments he was still in very bad shape. Our local doctors were not sure what step they should take next. In their many years of practicing as dermatologists they had not seen a case this bad on such a small child. They were reluctant to try anything too aggressive because of his age and size. The Amarillo doctors referred us to a specialist in Dallas by the name of Dr. Menter. Jacob was eight by this time and had only found relief in the summer times when the weather would cooperate with his skin. Dr. Menter started Jake with some aggressive meds and promised me that he would never let Jacob get that bad again. He has done an amazing job with keeping Jake clear. We still have flair ups but like Dr. Menter promised they are treated aggressively and he has in fact never gotten "that bad" again.

A cure to us would mean that Jacob could enjoy his life without feeling or looking different. It would mean that he would never wake up again with cracked and bleeding sores all over his body. It would mean that we would not have to go through another two hour painful process before I could give him a simple haircut. It would mean that we would not live with the real fear of Jake developing psoriatic arthritis.