EAST WINDSOR — Dr. Brian Keegan will hop on his bicycle on Aug. 15 and ride 100 miles to raise money for psoriasis research during National Psoriasis Foundation’s Inaugural Bike Ride beginning at Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes, Hunterdon County. And he’s not the only one.
The Windsor Dermatology team will have 17 total members, including practice founder and Medical Director Dr. Jerry Bagel, members of the practice’s staff, as well as spouses and patients.
An event sponsor, the Windsor Dermatology team has already raised more than $7,500. The practice encourages the community to join in the day’s festivities or donate to the cause. After the ride, team members will enjoy a wine tasting, brick oven pizza and live music.
“With 3 percent of the population affected by the disease, everyone knows someone with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis,” Dr. Keegan said. “Often these people hide their condition. I look forward to a future where everyone feels comfortable in their own skin.”
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, chronic skin condition that affects about 7.5 million Americans. It is the nation’s most prevalent immunological disease and causes skin cells to multiply at a hyperactive rate, often causing thick white, silver or red patches of skin.
There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but many effective treatments are available. National Psoriasis Foundation provides more than $2 million in research funding each year.
On Aug. 15, riders will choose one of four routes: 10, 29, 62 or 100 miles. Several will ride 10 miles. Dr. Bagel and others will ride 29 miles.
To donate to Windsor Dermatology’s team ride, visit http://bit.ly/1CHyGNm.
To register for the event, visit http://npf.donordrive.com and select CYCLE.
“Our goal is to get as many people engaged as possible by offering a more complete menu of activities,” said Robert Grabel, cycling and endurance events coordinator for the National Psoriasis Foundation. “Bikes don’t need to be fancy or super expensive. Use your old one, borrow one or rent one. This ride is for everyone with or without psoriasis coming together to cycle for a cure.”
This is the first of what Mr. Grabel says will become an annual event, with two more bike rides slated to be added in the U.S. next year.
“The money we raise will support the efforts of National Psoriasis Foundation, which helps fund research, educate patients, caregivers and professionals and helps patients get access to medication they desperately need,” Dr. Bagel said.
Dr. Bagel has been at the forefront of psoriasis patient care since he opened his practice in East Windsor in 1985. Back then he bought two light boxes and trained his medical assistants to provide then-groundbreaking phototherapy. Over time, patients found their way to Windsor Dermatology’s “Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central NJ,” the state’s first complete facility for advanced psoriasis research and therapies. Dr. Bagel has spoken to international audiences and serves as a writer and editor for psoriasis publications. He is a four-term member of the Medical Advisory Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. He is associate editor for Psoriasis Forum and co-chair of the Psoriasis Expert Resource Group.
In addition, Dr. David Nieves of Windsor Dermatology is on the President’s Council of the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Windsor Dermatology is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The practice opened its doors on June 28, 1985 with one doctor, a receptionist and a handful of clients. Today, the practice includes six board-certified dermatologists, an aesthetician, a newly expanded clinical trials department and a cutting-edge research facility. The practice provides comprehensive medical dermatologic care for common skin conditions, such as acne, warts and skin tags and offers the latest therapeutic advancements for psoriasis, eczema, skin cancer, vitiligo and skin allergies.
