MANILA, Philippines?To be diagnosed with psoriasis may be devastating for some. But what makes it more difficult for psoriasis patients is to find comfort and support from a group that could truly sympathize with their condition.

And who else could do a better job than those who also have psoriasis?

On Aug. 18, 2005, Josef de Guzman, a psoriasis patient himself, had thus put up an online support group called Psoriasis Philippines (Psorphil) not only to give comfort to other patients, but to also educate the public about the disease. In this way, the public may not be too hasty in discriminating against people with psoriasis.

?We try to reach out to everyone, even to those people who do not have access to the Internet, those who do not have access to modern medical treatments and especially those who withdraw from society because of the uniformed public?s inconsiderate reaction,? De Guzman explains.

Activities, projects

With all the problems encountered by psoriasis patients, De Guzman decided to conduct several activities and projects that would help them recover and regain their life.

For one, Psorphil has the Psoriasis Livelihood Assistance Network (Planet) wherein they offer small, interest-free capital to members to help them with the small businesses they may plan to put up, in the event that they lose their jobs due to the disease.

Recently, Psorphil launched the Hug Me Campaign, with the belief that hugging is the best act to show that psoriasis is not contagious and they did this with the help of show-biz personalities.

With this campaign, the group has begun selling the Psorphil bear to help fund projects, particularly its lending assistance to members.

For a minimum donation, one will get a bear that wears a ?Hug-me? shirt. The bears will eventually be made by patients who may not have a chance of finding a job due to his or her disease.

Currently, Psorphil is the only Philippine organization recognized by the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations.

Ifpa is nonprofit organization made up of psoriasis associations from around the world.