Dec 2011:
In More than 125 million people worldwide suffer from
psoriasis and the hardships this complex disease brings. But as the
newest documentaries of the Under the Spotlight-series reveal, they
are not the only ones who bear the burden of the disease. IFPA
proudly announces the winner of the 2nd Under the Spotlight
Award, who in a profound way has highlighted one of the many
difficult aspects of living with
psoriasis.
In order to raise awareness about psoriasis, and the burden it
places on its sufferers, the International Federation of Psoriasis
Associations, IFPA, launched 'Under the Spotlight' in 2009, a
project designed to portray the true nature of psoriasis via a
series of documentaries featuring people with psoriasis from all
over the world. In 2011 the films take a closer look at the people
surrounding the person with psoriasis, "the greater patient", and
how the disease has affected their lives.1
The new films were launched on October 29, World Psoriasis Day, on
the international Under the Spotlight website,
www.underthespotlight.com, and visitors have since then been asked
to vote for the documentary they find most compelling. We present
the winner today in celebration of these courageous individuals who
have chosen to publically speak of the disease that has had such a
great impact on them and the persons closest to them. Their stories
are vital to IFPA's work with combating the discrimination,
intolerance and prejudice that can be the result of the many myths
and misconceptions that are associated with psoriasis, and our
warmest thanks go out to all those who have chosen to be a part of
the project.
We are very pleased to announce the winning documentary to be that
of Celia Marín Rancel of Murcia, Spain. Her film can be viewed
using this link:
http://underthespotlight.com/films/spotlighter-films/view-film.aspx?id=62
Celia had the following to say upon learning of the
award:
"I would like to thank all the people who voted for my story. The
reason that I have participated in this project is to spread hope
and encourage psoriasis patients to achieve their dreams. My dream
was to have a family. I didn't allow the psoriasis to stop me, so I
have had two wonderful children and the most important - I have no
regrets. The psoriasis shouldn't stop you from doing something, it
shouldn't be an excuse."
Juana Maria del Molino, the President of the Spanish Psoriasis
Association, Acción Psoriasis, comments:
"The Under the Spotlight project is the best way to reach our
objective: to spread real and simple information about what
psoriasis is and its real impact on both the physical condition and
the quality of patients' life. In this way Acción Psoriasis
struggle for psoriasis patient's rights, such as being informed,
and fight against the discrimination that some psoriasis patients
suffer, for example when they try to get a job or they use a public
swimming pool".
1 The "greater
patient concept" describes the immediate close social group
affected by a person having skin disease. Basra MK, Finlay AY; Br J
Dermatol, 2007 May; 156(5):929-37.
Contact information
For more information on IFPA and Under the Spotlight, please
contact us at ifpa@pso.org, or
telephone + 46 8 556 109 14, or 522 083 15.
For more information on the Spanish Psoriasis Association, Acción
Psoriasis, please contact Susana Cebollero, Director of
Communications, at susana.cebollero@acciopsoriasi.org,
telephone + 34 93 280 46 22 or +34 669 958 213 (mobile).
