Incyte is launching HS TRUTHS, a new educational campaign aimed at revealing the authentic and often hidden realities of living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
This initiative shares the physical pain, emotional burden, and years-long diagnostic delays that many people living with HS endure. Through unfiltered, patient-led storytelling, HS TRUTHS encourages deeper understanding among healthcare professionals and supports stronger communication between patients and providers.
HS TRUTHS offers a candid look at the broad impact of HS through powerful personal stories from individuals like Jasmine, Katelyn, Parish, and Ashley. Their experiences underscore a fundamental truth: HS is more than a skin condition—it’s a deeply personal and often isolating struggle that affects everything from clothing choices to mental health.
Unique Experiences
“HS TRUTHS recognizes that each person’s experience is unique and emphasizes the importance of healthcare professionals engaging deeply with their HS patients,” says Parish Armstead, an HS patient advocate and participant in the HS TRUTHS campaign, in a news release. “I’m thrilled to be part of a campaign where our voices and stories are heard. Too often, campaigns miss the reality—we’re not just talking about bumps under the arms. We’re talking about chronic pain, lost relationships, and years of feeling dismissed. This campaign tells the whole truth.”
“Managing HS is inherently complex due to its multifaceted nature,” says Steven Daveluy, MD, Professor and Program Director at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. “The condition presents unique challenges at every stage, from diagnosis to treatment, often requiring a thoughtful approach to escalating treatment options as the condition progresses. Campaigns like HS TRUTHS are invaluable—they bring real patient stories forward, helping us better understand the full spectrum of the impact of HS and how we can better support those affected.”
“Our commitment to addressing the unmet needs of people living with complex and often misunderstood conditions like HS is unwavering,” adds Joslyn Kirby, MD, Executive Medical Director at Incyte. “With the launch of HS TRUTHS, we are bringing forward an honest, deeply respectful portrayal of the lived experience of people with HS. This campaign is shaped by patient voices and stories that reflect the diversity, challenges and strength of this community. It’s about meeting people where they are—with empathy, understanding and a commitment to do more.”
For more information, visit www.HSTRUTHS.com
