Press release
National Psoriasis Foundation appoints longtime volunteers to Board of Trustees
PORTLAND, Ore. (March 8, 2011)—The Portland-based National Psoriasis Foundation named Holly Fields Krafsur, of El Paso, Texas, and Sarah Kurts, of Denver, Colo., to its Board of Trustees in recognition of their longtime service to the Psoriasis Foundation as members and volunteers.
Holly Fields Krafsur is the vice president of marketing and public relations for Spira Footwear, an El Paso-based footwear company that creates running shoes with revolutionary coils designed to minimize impact of running. Krafsur and her husband Andy founded the company and serve as major shareholders. Krafsur also sits on Spira's board of directors.
Krafsur and her family have been involved with the Psoriasis Foundation and its Walk to Cure Psoriasis in Dallas for the past three years. Krafsur's 15-year-old daughter Alyssa, who has severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, is the name behind the Foundation's "Alyssa's Fund" initiative, which aims to raise $1 million to support five research projects, including one grant related to psoriatic arthritis.
Prior to her position at Spira, Krafsur was the director of communications for the Columbia Health Care System in El Paso, working with 14 health care facilities. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas, El Paso.
Sarah Kurts is a dermatology physician assistant with the Dermatology & Laser Institute of Colorado in Lone Tree, outside of Denver. Kurts has participated in numerous research studies of new drugs in development for skin conditions including psoriasis, and she has helped lead the Foundation's affiliated support network in Denver since 2008. Kurts was instrumental in starting the Foundation's Walk to Cure Psoriasis in Denver, serving as its chair for 2010.
In addition, Sarah is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the treasurer of the Colorado Society of Dermatology Professionals. She is a graduate of the child health associate/physician assistant program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver.
"Holly and Sarah have tremendous passion for our cause and will bring invaluable knowledge to our Board of Trustees," said Randy Beranek, Psoriasis Foundation president and CEO. "We are delighted to have their leadership and expertise on our board."
As volunteer members of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, Holly and Sarah will help direct the organization by evaluating and approving long-term plans, determining goals and providing financial oversight. Board members also work with Beranek to accomplish the organization's goals.
Learn more about the Foundation's Board of Trustees »
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the country, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans. Appearing on the skin most often as red scaly patches that itch and bleed, psoriasis is chronic, painful, disfiguring and disabling. Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, a related joint disease. There is no cure for psoriasis.
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit organization serving people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our mission is to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to eliminate their devastating effects through research, advocacy and education. For more information, call the Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800.723.9166, or visit www.psoriasis.org. Follow the Psoriasis Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.