Summer is officially here! We hope you're able to slow down and prioritize time for yourself over the next few months. As leaders and empathetic humans, you give so much of yourself daily—making it critical to refill your own cup. Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." Let this summer serve as a gentle reminder that taking time to rest and recharge isn't selfish—it's essential for sustaining the meaningful work you do.

We're grateful for your dedication to making a difference, and we hope this season brings you moments of peace and renewal.


The photo above was taken during the BIO International Convention in Boston last month, where CSD Executive Director Kelly Barta spoke on a panel entitled "The Power to Shape the Future." The panel explored how effective collaboration between the biopharmaceutical industry, the patient advocacy community, and other key stakeholders can speed the path to a cure and improve patient access. Kelly shared how she became an advocate, as well as her insights

about how to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of these collaborations. It was encouraging to hear that these companies are just as eager to find and work with us. This enthusiasm matches our Patient Groups' strong desire to connect with the research and development community to help identify cures for patients.


Events like BIO International provide invaluable opportunities for our community to connect with industry leaders, researchers, and fellow advocates who share our mission. The relationships built and knowledge exchanged at these conferences directly translate into stronger partnerships and more effective advocacy efforts that benefits all our Members.

Here's a preview at what you'll find in this month's newsletter:


  • CSD Full Summer Meeting Recording
  • CSD Membership Renewals - due ASAP
  • CSD Member Empowerment Webinar Series: "Attract, Engage, Retain: Mastering Volunteer Recruitment & Retention in Nonprofits" - Thursday, July 24
  • Legislative and Policy Updates
  • New "CSD Member Resource Sharing" Facebook Page
  • Skin in the News

CSD Full Membership Summer Meeting



Last month's quarterly Member meeting was a smashing success! We shared the CSD's recent accomplishments with you and discussed upcoming events and activities. You can find a recording of the meeting here. (Passcode: VLd1$9#Y)

CSD Membership Renewals



Thank you for being part of the CSD and standing together as one voice for the 84 million Americans with a skin disease. You, our Members, are at the heart of the CSD and why we exist. We invite you to remain a part of this coalition by renewing your CSD membership today. 


We are proud to offer these benefits to our Patient Group Members, Professional Association Members, and Corporate Members.

CSD Member Empowerment Series - "Attract, Engage, Retain: Mastering Volunteer Recruitment & Retention in Nonprofits"


We are thrilled to invite you to join the first webinar of our Member Empowerment Series on Thursday, July 24 entitled "Attract, Engage, Retain: Mastering Volunteer Recruitment & Retention in Nonprofits." Lisa-Marie Haygood, the Executive Director of the Cherokee County Educational Foundation since 2017, will share her knowledge on:


  • Where and How to Find the Right Volunteers
  • How to Keep Volunteers Engaged and Motivated
  • Why Volunteers Leave—and How to Prevent It


What: CSD Member Empowerment Series - "Attract, Engage, Retain: Mastering Volunteer Recruitment & Retention in Nonprofits"

Date: Thursday, July 24

Time: 2PM - 3PM ET

Register HERE!

Header - Legislative & Policy Updates

President Trump Signs

Big Beautiful Bill into Law


Earlier this month, President Trump signed the "Big Beautiful Bill" - a spending and tax cut bill - into law. In addition to making permanent the tax cuts that were passed into law in 2017, this law makes significant cuts to Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the Medicaid cuts will result in 11.8 million Americans losing health coverage over the next decade.


Next on the congressional agenda is passing appropriations bills to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on October 1. The House has made some progress on its appropriations bills, with one bill passing and four others making it out of the Appropriations Committee, while the Senate began marking up their first batch of appropriations bills last week. The CSD sent letters to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees earlier this year outlining our funding priorities.

Header - Learning Opportunities

New "CSD Member Resource Sharing" Facebook Page


The CSD is excited to announce the launch of our new "CSD Member Resource Sharing" Facebook page, a private group designed exclusively for CSD members to connect, collaborate, and grow together.


Whether you're seeking guidance, sharing insights, or looking for tested resources, this is your space to tap into our collective expertise.


What you'll find here:


-A supportive community of fellow advocates and professionals

-Proven resources, templates, and guides you can adapt for your own work

-Opportunities to ask questions and get practical advice

-A place to share your successes and learn from challenges


How we help each other:


Every member brings unique experience and knowledge to our community. By sharing resources and insights, we can work more efficiently, avoid reinventing the wheel, and amplify our impact for the skin disease community we serve.


Click on this link to join the Facebook group!

image says "Awareness Month"

AHSID and June's HS Awareness Month


The Association of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Inflammatory Diseases (AHSID) is a national nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness, advancing research, and advocating for equitable care for individuals living with HS and related conditions. This June during HS Awareness Week, we hosted our annual I RECLAIM HS Summit, a hybrid, patient-led event focused on education, healing, and empowerment. With support from partners including UCB, Incyte, and Novartis, the summit welcomed over 100 attendees in person and virtually. Through expert-led sessions, wellness experiences, and community building, AHSID continues to amplify the patient voice and drive impactful change in the HS and inflammatory disease space.

header: Skin Disease in the News



  • Autoimmune disease may almost double risk of mental ill health, study suggests

1717 N Street NW, Washington DC, 20036

info@coalitionofskindiseases.org

Facebook  Twitter  YouTube

The Coalition of Skin Diseases gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our

Healthcare Industry Partners.