Sussex County commissioners recognize October as Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Month

NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — The Sussex County Board of County Commissioners has issued a proclamation recognizing October as Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Month, highlighting a rare condition that causes extreme skin fragility and can significantly affect individuals and their families.

The proclamation was presented during the board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to Sussex County resident Penelope Ream, whose daughter, Corinna, lives with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB), a form of the disease.

Epidermolysis Bullosa, commonly referred to as EB, causes the skin to become extremely fragile, often resulting in blisters and wounds from even minor friction or trauma. According to Stanford Medicine, the condition affects approximately 25,000 to 50,000 people in the United States, with roughly 2,000 children born with EB each year.

During the meeting, Ream thanked the commissioners for recognizing the condition and shared her family’s experiences navigating life with EB. She also highlighted the work of organizations such as debra of America, which provides support and resources to individuals and families affected by the disease.

Following the meeting, Sussex County Deputy Director Jack DeGroot emphasized the importance of increasing public awareness and recognizing the challenges faced by those living with the condition.

“Epidermolysis Bullosa may not be widely known, but it can have a profound impact on the lives of those affected. Because it affects the skin, the largest organ in the human body, EB can present significant challenges for individuals and their families. We thank the Ream family for reaching out to us and requesting this proclamation. Their efforts have helped educate us about EB and provided an opportunity to raise awareness throughout Sussex County. We hope this recognition encourages further conversations about the disease and helps connect individuals and families affected by EB with organizations working to support them.”

The commissioners’ recognition follows the Ream family’s request for a proclamation and their efforts to educate county officials about the disease.

For more information about Epidermolysis Bullosa and resources available to affected individuals and families, visit debra of America’s website.