Who Started Children's Skin Disease Foundation?

Children's Skin Disease Foundation (CSDF) was founded by Francesca Tenconi, a California teenager on her 16th birthday. At age 11 Francesca was diagnosed with pemphigus foliaceous, a serious, potentially fatal skin disease. While receiving treatment at several university hospitals, she met other children with skin diseases. Francesca felt an organization was necessary to focus on the unique problems of children and teenagers who suffer from skin disease and to raise funds to help these children. To support this happening, Francesca told her family and friends to give no gifts for her 16th birthday - just make contributions to start a foundation. Four days after her birthday (May 29, 2000), Children's Skin Disease Foundation was formed.

What is Children's Skin Disease Foundation?

Children's Skin Disease Foundation (CSDF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation which focuses on the unique problems of young people who suffer from skin disease and the families who care for them. Diseases of the skin affect thousands of American children each year. These diseases cause discomfort, pain, disfigurement, disability, dependency or death. These diseases affect not only the children but also their entire family. Even worse, the physical and emotional hurt caused by childhood skin diseases can last a lifetime.

CSDF sponsors the only medically staffed camps in the western United States, the Carolinas and Virginia for children with severe chronic and/or fatal skin diseases. In 2001, CSDF established Camp Wonder, at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, California (33 miles south east of Oakland Airport) through a grant from the Taylor Family Foundation.

In 2004, CSDF added two new camps. CSDF is sponsoring Camp Wonder at The Painted Turtle, a camp in Lake Hughes, California (60 minutes north of Los Angeles) through a grant from The Painted Turtle, a Hole in the Wall Camp co-founded by Paul Newman. The Painted Turtle is for children with skin disease who receive treatment in Southern California. 

CSDF is sponsoring a camp in Randleman, North Carolina (20 miles south of Greensboro) through a grant from Victory Junction Gang Camp , a Hole in the Wall Camp co-founded by Paul Newman. Victory Junction Gang is for children with skin disease who live in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. 

CSDF's camps are free to children with serious and/or fatal skin disease. Children with Epidermolysis Bullosa, Pemphigus, Ichthyosis, Alopecia, Vitiligo, skin tumors, skin cancer, and other skin diseases are welcome to apply. For one week these children can forget their disease and have fun!

CSDF is a resource for the families of children with skin disease:

• CSDF, in cooperation with the Wheelchair Foundation, supplies wheelchairs to children with skin disease. 
• CSDF is implementing a "Make a Wish" program.
• CSDF provides guidance and support group information to families.
• CSDF hosts social and athletic events for families and children affected by skin disease.

Children's Skin Disease Foundation (CSDF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

What is the Mission of CSDF?

CSDF raises money to fund medical research for better treatment and possible cures of several skin diseases which affect children. CSDF established Camp Wonder, a medically staffed summer camp at which children with serious and fatal skin diseases can forget about their disease and just have fun. CSDF also organizes social and educational events for children with skin disease and their families. CSDF assist parents of children with skin disease by providing support directly and through other parents whose child has the same skin disease.