Dotted Day
"The goal is to destigmatize the disease and especially to introduce the public to the fact that psoriasis IS NOT contagious."
"The goal is to destigmatize the disease and especially to introduce the public to the fact that psoriasis IS NOT contagious."
On the occasion of World Psoriasis Day, a nationwide happening with an international reach will take place on Friday, October 29, 2023.
We are building on last year's edition. The goal is to involve all EU countries in the educational campaign. Bodkáčik - an association for families, children, and youth with skin diseases and the Society of Psoriatics and Atopics of the Slovak Republic join the "Polka Dot Day 2023," an awareness campaign supporting patients with psoriasis, whose origin and idea come from Sister in Action and a member of the Patient Organization SPAE CZ and Revenium. The event is supported by foreign organizations IFPA (International Federation of Psoriasis Associations) and EU-ROPSO (European Federation of Psoriasis Associations) on their websites.
"The goal is to destigmatize this disease and above all to familiarize the public with the fact that psoriasis IS NOT contagious."
"No one with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis should be left alone with their concerns. Therefore, let's support patients by wearing clothing or accessories with dots on October 29. This way, we will show the public that we know the basic facts about psoriasis/plaque psoriasis." The aim is to inform and educate the public that psoriasis is not an infectious disease and, therefore, there is no reason to avoid or reject patients in any way. However, we still encounter cases where uninformed laypeople ask, for example, restaurant or swimming pool staff to remove a patient from the premises because they fear infection; a shop assistant warns not to touch goods; a hairdresser refuses to cut a patient's hair, and many other degrading situations that disturb the already fragile psyche of the patient. Psoriasis is very stressful for patients, and when met with misunderstanding from others, such a patient often falls into depression or apathy. Psoriasis then affects not only the patient but also their entire family and close surroundings.
The "Igráček EFKO" toy is also involved in the campaign. The toy can be ordered in the e-shop: http://revenium.cz/kategorie-produktu/puntikovy-den/ The proceeds from this event will go to support children patients to contribute to their health stays by the sea. The goal is to connect patients with the public and show that people with psoriasis in Slovakia are not indifferent to us. Proper public education helps remove social stigmas and myths surrounding psoriasis/plaque psoriasis.
In addition to healthcare facilities, companies, and patient organizations, we would also like to involve schools and kindergartens in Polka Dot Day because educating children in this regard is very important. Here, children would be playfully acquainted with the basic facts about psoriasis, and on October 29, 2023, they would support patients by wearing anything with dots, creating a polka dot collage, practicing a dance, or any other activity that the teachers may think of in this context.
We will be very happy if you join "Polka Dot Day." Together, we will support patients by dressing in dots. There are no limits to your imagination in matching a polka dot outfit. Let us know that you sympathize with us. Share your outfit photo with us on Facebook.
More info can be found at: www.bodkacik.sk, fb bodkacik, www.spaa-sr.webnode.sk ,wwwspae.cz, www.revenium.cz
