Why I Donate to NEA: Christina Crowley

I discovered the National Eczema Association (NEA) through pure serendipity. While visiting my sister in Florida, I used a new suntan lotion before heading to the beach. My skin erupted with eczema. My sister suggested I talk to a good friend of hers who also had eczema. Her friend connected me with NEA. 

Connecting with NEA made a life-changing difference for me. They recommended that I connect with a specific doctor at a special dermatology clinic at the University of California, San Francisco. That recommendation provided me with a solution that worked for me — an intense soak-and-smear approach over a two-week period.

I first got eczema in my early 60s. Initially, it appeared only on my back and shoulders. When I took my blouse off at night and discovered spots of blood, I realized I’d been scratching my back unconsciously. As time went on, my eczema spread to my legs and arms. My dermatologist prescribed corticosteroids, which worked, but I could only use them for short periods of time to help manage the flares. 

In 2016, I went to my first Eczema Expo. Meeting others with eczema and hearing about their experiences, often far worse than mine, opened my eyes to the scope and seriousness of this disease. It made me appreciate even more the work NEA does to help alleviate that suffering, including funding research grants, webinars, videos and, of course, Expo. 

Given how much NEA has helped me, when I was asked to serve on the board of directors, I immediately agreed. Joining the board and serving as board chair for two years has enabled me to reach out to donors, increase engagement of the board on various committees and support a path forward for NEA and the eczema community.

Since my eczema diagnosis, I’ve seen so many new drugs introduced to treat eczema. None of that existed when I was diagnosed. There is still much work to be done, especially to increase access to these new, often expensive drugs and to educate the eczema community, including healthcare professionals who treat eczema patients.

Every year, I participate in NEA’s Itching for a Cure (IFAC) fundraising campaign. I’m inspired by all the great people I’ve met at Expo over the years. I think about the many painful stories I’ve heard — especially from the parents of kids with eczema. I want to fundraise for them by helping NEA achieve its vision — a world without eczema. 

I also support NEA’s mission as a donor and a fundraiser. Each year, I ask my friends, family and colleagues to support NEA with a donation to my Itching for a Cure campaign. And I joined the Founders’ Legacy Society by remembering NEA with a gift in my will.  

Donate to Itching for a Cure

Help raise funds for eczema research with our Itching for a Cure fundraiser.