Actress and Best-Selling Author La La Anthony Reveals Journey with Psoriasis - A Chronic, Autoimmune Disease that Threatened to Keep Her Out of the Spotlight

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress, New York Times best-selling author, fashion designer, and TV personality La La Anthony lives her life in the spotlight – walking the red carpet and appearing on the big and small screens. Yet, behind the scenes, Anthony has lived with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin, forming raised lesions that itch, crack, and bleed. The condition has forced her to change her style, cancel public appearances, miss time with family and friends, and skip business meetings. However, Anthony never allowed psoriasis to stop her from pursuing her dreams. For this reason, she has teamed up with the National Psoriasis Foundation to launch Picture Positivity. This campaign encourages people with psoriasis to go to PicturePositivity.com to share images of their achievements while living with the disease – from taking part in everyday activities to going after larger life goals – and urging the larger community to share messages and images of support.

"As an actress, wife, mom, and woman living with psoriasis, it's been so important to not let my disease stop me from living my life and pursuing my goals," said Anthony. "That's why I'm so excited to be working with the National Psoriasis Foundation on Picture Positivity, because living with psoriasis doesn't mean that we have to miss out on life's positive moments or give up our ambitions."

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It is the most common autoimmune disease in the United States, affecting approximately 7.5 million people. People with psoriasis are at increased risk for developing other conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. In addition to the physical impact, psoriasis affects people emotionally. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, most people with psoriasis say that the disease makes them feel embarrassed, depressed and wanting to hide from others.

Anthony knows firsthand how psoriasis can affect one's life. In her twenties, Anthony started experiencing symptoms on her scalp and along her hairline, which was worrisome as a young woman and as someone in the entertainment industry. Even after her diagnosis, Anthony was concerned that others would believe her symptoms were due to a contagious condition or poor hygiene. However, with the support of friends, family, and others living with psoriasis, Anthony found the courage to push onward.

Picture Positivity encourages the psoriasis community to share images of their proudest achievements while living with this painful and frustrating disease. Whether it's challenging discrimination by wearing shorts or a sleeveless top in public, to taking on a new role at work, to speaking out on behalf of others struggling with psoriasis, this campaign celebrates the accomplishments of the community with the intention of inspiring others to not let psoriasis hold them back.  

"People living with psoriasis face many challenges, not only having to manage the physical symptoms of their disease but also deal with the social, emotional, and professional implications," said Randy Bernak, President and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. "La La is a great example of a woman who did not let her condition hinder her and, in fact, continues to excel in both her professional and personal life by managing her psoriasis. We hope that her story and this campaign inspires others with psoriasis to reach for their dreams by highlighting the many accomplishments of the NPF community."

To learn more about the Picture Positivity campaign and to upload a photo, visit www.PicturePositivity.com.

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.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150916/267221

SOURCE National Psoriasis Foundation

Related Links

http://www.psoriasis.org