Friday, August 18, 2023
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On behalf of the entire National Psoriasis Foundation staff and volunteer team, please accept our deepest condolences. EZ was an amazing volunteer, advocate and friend to so many in the psoriatic disease community. We are all so sorry to learn of his passing.
I first learned about EZ and his amazing campaign to educate about psoriasis more than a decade ago. At the time, he told our team that he had a goal of educating 10 people a day about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. We were all so impressed! He had planned a new ride about overcoming depression with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis - a topic not discussed as publicly then as it is now - and was partnering with the Foundation to connect with media about his journey. Here's one of the stories from that time. http://www.dyersvillecommercial.com/news/a-peaceful-ez-feeling/article_a0d0b146-ff6c-11e2-b3dc-001a4bcf6878.html One of the photos I have attached was from his speaking to a crowd at the Field of Dreams where he took off for his ride.
I later got to know Tom better through NPF conferences and advocacy efforts. For the last decade, a 2x2 foot canvas of a photo of EZ with then Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has greeted visitors to the NPF office in Alexandria, Virginia. For the NPF staff who walk past Tom's photo each day, it has served as a reminder of why we need to be relentless in pursuing our mission.
The National Psoriasis Foundation team will miss you, EZ.
Leah Howard
President and CEO
National Psoriasis Foundation
