FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            

Contact:
Lisa Breuning
215.997.9400
lbreuning@firstskinfoundation.org

National Non-Profit to Partner with Major League Baseball Teams
FIRST Night at the Ballpark Events Planned for Philadelphia, New York, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh

COLMAR, PA (February 26, 2013) – As spring training games begin, the Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types, Inc. (FIRST) announces events planned at Major League Baseball venues across the country that allow FIRST members, family and friends to enjoy rooting for the home team and also raise funds and create awareness about ichthyosis, a family of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, scaling skin that may be thickened or very thin.

FIRST began hosting ballpark events in 2011, in conjunction with Ichthyosis Awareness Month held every year during May, with a night at the Philadelphia Phillies.  Almost 500 people flocked to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia to watch the Phillies play the Washington Nationals.  The Foundation also had the opportunity to play a video on the scoreboard at the stadium and a member threw out the first pitch.  The evening was such a success that in 2012 events were also held at Citifield in New York, home of the Mets and Cellular Field in Chicago, home of the White Sox.

According to FIRST, each year, more than 16,000 babies are born with some form of ichthyosis, of those, approximately 300 are born with a moderate to severe form.  This disease affects people of all ages, races and gender. The disease usually presents at birth, or within the first year, and continues to affect the patient throughout their lifetime.  

“This type of event provides our members the opportunity to go to a social and fun outing in a safe environment,” said Jean Pickford, Executive Director at FIRST.  “It also helps educate the greater community about the disease and bring greater awareness to ichthyosis.”

During the 2013 season, events are planned for Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh.  Visit FIRST’s website at www.firstskinfoundation.org for details about each event.  If you would like to help plan an event in your town, please contact FIRST Development Coordinator, Christine Wassel at 215.997.9400 or via email at cwassel@firstskinfoundation.org.

About the Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types, Inc.^®
The Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types, Inc.^® (FIRST) is the only nonprofit foundation in the United States dedicated to families affected by the rare skin disorder ichthyosis.  Approximately 300 babies each year are born with a moderate to severe form of ichthyosis.  FIRST educates, inspires, and connects those touched by ichthyosis and related disorders through emotional support, information, advocacy and has supported more than $1.4 million in research funding for better treatments and eventual cures.  For more information, call toll-free at 1.800.545.3286 or visit www.firstskinfoundation.org.

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