Psoriasis walk raises funds, awareness

As a nurse, Marty Hinkle, RN, did not know much about psoriasis until a physician diagnosed her daughter with the disease.

Marty’s daughter Loren Hinkle became covered in psoriasis at age 5. Loren went to multiple doctors before one identified the bumps on her skin as psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes skin breakouts. The breakouts occur because the immune system sends out signals to speed up the growth cycle of skin cells.

The cause of psoriasis remains unknown. People typically experience their first outbreak between age 15 and 35. Outbreaks in children as young as Loren, now 8, are less common.

While psoriasis is not contagious, Marty said awareness about the disease can be.

The Hinkle family hopes to spread awareness through the 2009 Walk to Cure Psoriasis on Aug. 29 at Theis Park, Oak and 47th streets, Kansas City, Mo. Funds raised from the walk support research through the National Psoriasis Foundation.

“My goal is to get (information) out there,” Marty said. “It’s very life-altering.”

Loren has a severe case of psoriasis that has been resistant to treatment. Her outbreaks can cover her from head to toe.

“Everywhere we go we get stared at,” Marty said. “That wears on you after awhile.”

This year, Loren and her sisters, Aubri, 11, and Briana, 7, serve as ambassadors for the Psoriasis Walk. Through this role they spread awareness about the walk and the disease.

Loren shares her experience with psoriasis on the Walk to Cure Psoriasis Web site, walk.psoriasis.org.

“I have psoriasis all over my whole body except the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet. It is very annoying because it hurts, itches and bleeds a lot. Sometimes at school I can’t concentrate because I keep thinking about itching my skin and scalp. It is like having a big mosquito bite you can’t stop itching over your whole body,” Loren stated on the Web site. “It makes me sad because I am the only kid in my school who has psoriasis. I just want to have normal skin like my friends and sisters.”

Loren has tried a variety of treatments. Marty said sunlight appears to be the best treatment right now and she has considered buying a tanning bed to provide light therapy in the winter.

Loren sees Donald Belsito, MD, a dermatologist recommended by the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Belsito and his staff plan to participate in this year’s walk.

“It’s something that we can do as an office,” Kim Shoemaker, CMA, said.

Shoemaker has worked in Belsito’s office for three years and has had Loren as a patient the entire time.

“She’s a trooper,” Shoemaker said. “Seeing someone that young with an advanced disease like she has was kind of difficult at first.”

Marty has taken an active role in her daughter’s treatment. She participates with the National Psoriasis Foundation and has traveled to Washington, D.C., to urge legislators to fund psoriasis research.

A big turnout at the walk means more than just money for research. Marty said large turnouts at the psoriasis walks encourage people, such as Loren, who have the disease.

“Hopefully this year will have a great turnout,” Marty said.

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