As September arrives with its promise of new beginnings - students returning to classrooms, leaves beginning their transformation, and the rhythm of a new season taking hold - we find ourselves embracing our own moment of transition within the Coalition of Skin Diseases.

Change, much like the shifting seasons, brings both reflection and renewal.

At the end of August, Kelly stepped down from her role as Executive Director to begin working full-time with ITSAN. We are deeply grateful for her instrumental leadership in shaping CSD into the strong, collaborative community it is today. This transition is not a farewell - ITSAN remains an active member organization, and Kelly will continue to be a valued part of our Coalition.

Additionally, Brindley stepped down from her role as Board President. We thank her for her passionate leadership and lasting impact on our mission. Holly Priebe, our current Vice President and past Treasurer, has stepped into the role of Interim Board President to ensure continuity and stability. The Board has begun the executive search process, and while Kelly's shoes will be big ones to fill, we are hopeful and eager to find the right leader.

Like the turning of seasons, these transitions remind us that growth often requires change. As we move forward, we carry with us the wisdom and progress of those who have led before us while opening our hearts and minds to the possibilities that lie ahead.

If you have any questions or concerns during this transition, please don't hesitate to reach out. We remain committed to transparency, collaboration, and the continued growth of our Coalition.

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

• CSD Full Summer Meeting Recording and Upcoming Fall Meeting - September 24
• CSD Member Empowerment Webinar Series: "Amplify Your Impact: Using People Strategy to Fuel Mission Success" - Thursday, September 18
• Legislative and Policy Updates - Keep the Momentum Going as Congress Returns to D.C.
• Upcoming Conferences: the Autoimmune Community Summit and the American Academy of Family Physicians' FMX Conference

CSD Full Membership Fall Meeting

Mark your calendar for the upcoming CSD Full Membership Fall Meeting on Wednesday, September 24 from 2 - 3PM ET.

This quarterly gathering is your chance to connect with fellow advocates, hear updates on our legislative victories, and help shape our advocacy priorities for the remainder of 2025. Please see here for the Zoom link and come ready to engage!

CSD Member Empowerment Series

If you missed our Member Empowerment Series on August 21, "Maximizing Your Nonprofit's Social Media Impact," you can view a recording of it here.

We're excited to invite you to join our next Member Empowerment Series webinar "Amplify Your Impact: Using People Strategy to Fuel Mission Success." In this webinar, Rachel Platt, a strategic human resources expert, will help us explore how a strong people strategy—focused on culture, clarity, and capability—can elevate performance, support sustainability, and position your organization to deliver greater results.

Designed for nonprofit leaders and mission-driven changemakers with 10 or more employees, this session offers practical insights into leveraging your people to amplify your purpose.

Date: Thursday, September 18

Time: 2PM - 3PM ET

Register HERE!

Congress Returns to D.C.

With August recess behind us, Congress has returned to Washington, D.C. facing urgent priorities. Most pressing is the need to pass appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026 by the end of this month. Without passage of all 12 appropriations bills—or a short-term continuing resolution (CR)—the country faces a government shutdown.

Your Voices Were Heard: A Major Victory for NIH Funding

Our advocacy efforts delivered results! Recently, the Senate and House Appropriations Committees passed separate versions of the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) bill with outcomes that directly reflect your engagement:

• Rejected the Trump Administration's proposed 40% funding cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Increased NIH funding by $400 million in the Senate and $99 million in the House
• Blocked proposed restructuring of the NIH

These wins happened because you showed up, spoke up, and made your voices heard!

Keep the Momentum Going

Now is the time to build on this success. We encourage you to share CSD's action alert platform with your members. This advocacy tool makes it easy for your members to:

• Email their legislators about the FY26 LHHS appropriations bill
• Share personal stories about why NIH funding is critical to them
• Demonstrate the importance of this funding to the entire skin disease community

It's more important than ever to encourage your members to make their voices heard! Together, we can ensure continued progress for skin disease research and treatment.

Autoimmune Community Summit

The CSD is proud to support the Autoimmune Community Summit! Join us September 18-19 for this FREE, virtual event hosted by the Autoimmune Association. Whether you're living with autoimmune disease, supporting someone who is, or working in the field, the summit offers valuable information and community connection.

We’re excited to be a virtual exhibitor for this event and to champion awareness for the 50 million Americans living with autoimmune disease. With topics ranging from new treatments and nutrition to mental health and advocacy, there’s something for everyone. Sessions are easy to understand, and you can view live or on-demand.

Register HERE!

The CSD will be exhibiting at the American Academy of Family Physicians' FMX Conference next month in Anaheim, CA.  We're excited for the opportunity to raise vital awareness with family physicians about skin diseases and to share with them the invaluable support our member organizations provide to patients and their families. Furthermore, only one-third of Americans with a skin disease see a dermatologist, which means that family physicians are often the first and only providers managing skin conditions. We look forward to connecting with these essential healthcare providers and strengthening our collaborative efforts to improve outcomes for patients with skin diseases across the country.

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!

Alopecia Areata Awareness Month

September is Alopecia Areata Awareness Month! There are many ways to show your support, from participating in the Walk for Alopecia on September 27, to sharing resources with your public library or community center, to contacting your elected officials in support of legislation that would improve the lives of those with alopecia. Please visit the National Alopecia Areata Foundation's website to find ways you can be involved.

Blood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, which includes cutaneous lymphoma, and September 15 is World Lymphoma Awareness Day. There are many ways to be involved, including joining the CL Challenge - a global fundraising movement supporting the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation. Please visit the CLF's website for information on all the ways to support those with cutaneous lymphoma this month and beyond.

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

Healthcare Industry Partners.