Why I Give: Sarah Young O’Donnell

As the chair of the National Eczema Association’s (NEA’s) board of directors, I work closely with other board members, staff and our dedicated team of Ambassadors. Our purpose is to advocate for and to improve the lives of all people impacted by eczema. 

My family’s eczema journey began in the late 1980s when my father developed severe atopic dermatitis as he entered his 50s. Luckily, my dad was accepted into a clinical trial at the University of Michigan for an atopic dermatitis treatment. One of the dermatologists leading that trial was also involved with NEA, and he encouraged my dad to get involved. Thank goodness for that, as this was the pre-internet days, and my dad might not have found his way to NEA as quickly as he did!

At that time there really were no effective treatments for severe eczema. Those that provided some relief also came with significant and potentially very serious side effects. There was also little recognition of eczema as a serious disease and how debilitating it can be. For example, no one really acknowledged the impact of itch on eczema patients, nor the devastating effects that chronic lack of sleep has on those with eczema and their caretakers.

NEA was a lifeline for my family. The education NEA provides, the research it sponsors, the advocacy work it does on behalf of those with eczema are all incredibly important. I have seen firsthand year after year how the NEA community wraps itself around those suffering from eczema, as well as those caring for loved ones with eczema. NEA provides them with knowledge, support and hope in moving forward. This is why I donate to NEA. I want to help support this important work.

Over the past several years, NEA has performed incredible work in helping to galvanize the development of new therapies to address and treat eczema. We have raised far greater awareness of the disease. 

There are more than 30 million individuals in the U.S. with eczema. I give to help NEA expand its reach and connectivity to more people with eczema and their families. I want all people affected by eczema to have a greater understanding of the disease and the best options for addressing it. 

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Your gift changes the lives of the 31 million children and adults living with eczema. Your generosity helps bring better therapies, better care, better outcomes — and one day, potentially, a cure. Donate today.