History of the National Psoriasis Foundation

It all started with a tiny classified ad in a Portland, Ore., newspaper on Aug. 29, 1966 asking people with psoriasis to call Beverly Foster. Beverly's husband placed the ad on her 30th birthday, hoping to find people she could talk with about her severe psoriasis.

Within a week, Beverly received more than 100 phone calls. She began organizing meetings and, in 1967, led the formation of the Psoriasis Society of Oregon. But a far greater mission soon beckoned. Public ignorance about psoriasis was widespread, and there was little money or interest in psoriasis research.

The National Psoriasis Foundation received its charter in October 1968, with the top priority of raising money for psoriasis research. Beverly and a group of dedicated volunteers, including a handful of physicians and researchers, got the Foundation running.

Today, the National Psoriasis Foundation is headquartered in Portland, the home of its founders. In 40 years, the Foundation has grown from a small group of volunteers to a national nonprofit organization with a focus on finding a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis through research, advocacy and education. Each year, the Psoriasis Foundation serves more than one million people affected by psoriatic diseases.