NFL player Jonathan Scott joins in program for teens with psoriasis

Professional football player Jonathan Scott has joined with the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Youth Ambassador Program to encourage teenage patients with psoriasis to help their peers take control of the disease, according to a press release.

Scott, diagnosed with psoriasis in 2009, said in the release that he also hopes to create awareness of the condition that affects approximately 700,000 people under the age of 18 in the United States.

The Youth Ambassador program, with support from LEO Pharm and its LEO Quality Care program, encourages people under the age of 18 who have psoriasis in the United States to serve as ambassadors in their community.

“I’m passionate about helping youth succeed in life and as someone also diagnosed with psoriasis, I’m excited to help teens with psoriasis lead confident, fulfilling lives,” Scott said in the release. “I didn’t know what psoriasis was until I got it. Now, I want to teach and create awareness of this condition. I want to use this Youth Ambassador program to tell young people with psoriasis they are not alone.”

Scott, a nine-year veteran with the NFL, has played for the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons.

The Youth Ambassadors are required to participate as a team captain in their local Team National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) Walk, participate in other NPF activities on a quarterly basis and to share experiences with others though Youth Ambassador calls, the release stated. The ambassadors will receive a $500 stipend to support their activities.

“Growing up with psoriasis can have a significant impact on quality of life,” Randy Baranek, NPF president and CEO said in the release. “Because it’s visible on the skin, many young people face stigma because people fear it’s contagious.”

Nineteen Youth Ambassadors will be chosen by Sept. 1, with one national Youth Ambassador selected to receive a $2,500 scholarship in early 2016, according to the release. Application deadline for the Ambassador program is Aug. 19, and applicants must be between 12 and 18 years of age. More information is available at www.psoriasis.org/youthambassador.

Reference: www.psoriasis.org