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Ben Franklin, for his 300th birthday, named “Greatest American with Psoriasis” by national advocacy group
(January 16, 2006) Benjamin Franklin, who was born 300 years ago tomorrow on January 17, 1706, edged out writer John Updike and “Leave it to Beaver” star Jerry Mathers to be named “Greatest American with Psoriasis” by the patient advocacy group Psoriasis Cure Now. The group is hosting a Franklin look-alike who will be distributing psoriasis information to Congressional staffers on Capitol Hill tomorrow to celebrate Franklin’s life, to raise awareness of the incurable immune system disease and to continue the group’s campaign for more federally funded psoriasis research. [click here for two pictures of Ben at the US Capitol on 1/17/2006: 1 and 2.] The full story of Franklin and his psoriasis, including his own writings on the disease, is available on the web at www.Ben300.org.
Franklin wrote detailed accounts of his battle with psoriasis, which coincided with some of the most momentous events in American history. Franklin’s psoriasis troubled him, for example, during the time he helped draft the Declaration of Independence, and during his years in France when he secured French support for the Revolutionary War.
“We intend to have fun celebrating Franklin’s life and educating the public about his little-known battle with psoriasis, but his experience with psoriasis has serious and continuing relevance,” said Michael Paranzino, president of Psoriasis Cure Now. “His story is striking because many people with psoriasis are suffering as much today as he did so long ago. That underscores our message that psoriasis cries out for additional research.
"But he’s also a wonderful role model for psoriasis patients of all ages. From helping America win its independence to his quick wit and sharp mind, there is something in his life to inspire everyone,” Paranzino added. “Three hundred years after his birth, Americans will finally learn about Franklin’s psoriasis. We’re sorry he had to live with this painful and often debilitating disease, but grateful he showed that it need not get the best of us.”
In addition to the Franklin look-alike who will be at the U.S. Capitol tomorrow, Psoriasis Cure Now is developing a pamphlet for children starring Franklin, and its Health Care Advocate of the Year awards, presented last month to Sen. Arlen Specter and Reps. Rosa DeLauro and Ralph Regula, were replicas of a Franklin bust created while he lived in France and was vexed by psoriasis. Franklin is also now the group’s official celebrity spokesperson.
Psoriasis is an incurable, recurring disease of the immune system that can first strike at any age, causing dry, painful skin lesions that can crack, bleed and itch. Franklin referred to his psoriasis as a “troublesome disorder” and wrote that its duration and tendency to spread “alarm’d” him. About seven million Americans have psoriasis.
Franklin’s complete writings about his psoriasis are available here.
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