Mark your calendar, World Vitiligo Day is approaching fast! People from all over the world will come together in unity Saturday, June 25th to increase awareness of vitiligo and raise funds for research, support, and education. Events range from rallies, processions, street plays, and parties to free skin check clinics and support group meetings.
Origins
Developed in 2011, by Steve Haragadon of the Vitiligo Friends Network and Executive Director of the Vitiligo Support and Awareness Foundation, Ogo Maduewesi, June 25th has become the official day of bringing awareness to Vitiligo, which affects 1-2% over 100 Million people worldwide.
It serves to educate and inform people about Vitiligo, raise funds for research and education, and provide people with a support network locally and globally that they can get involved with.
Since its inception, World Vitiligo Day has succeeded in bringing awareness to millions of people, creating support networks across the globe and working with various manufacturers and clinics to deliver speedy treatment.
Due to its success as a campaign, it has also petitioned over 500,000 people to make it recognized as an official day by the U.N., which is still pending.
Get Involved
This year’s main sites for World Vitiligo Day will be in Prague and Washington DC. Thousands of medical professionals, politicians, celebrities and leaders will come together to promote awareness.
One of the main ways you can become involved is by signing the petition to have World Vitiligo Day become recognized by the U.N. You can find this petition here.
You can also show your support by making a donation to the VR Foundation, a non-profit organization created for research and vitiligo treatment advancements.
Get involved with your local community! Support groups and organizations will be joining together by holding informational events, free skin checks at clinics, and various other events designed to inspire community and friendship among those who are afflicted.
Who Can I Connect With
There are various organizations which can help you find resources in your area to support World Vitiligo Day, listed below are a few:
- VR Foundation Support Groups
- Vitiligo Support International
- American Vitiligo Foundation
- Vitiligo Support and Awareness Foundation
Social media and support groups can also be great places to connect with other people on a personal level.
- Vitiligo Friends
- Vitiligo Support International
- Vitiligo Bond Inc.
- Meetup – discover local informal groups around you from NYC to Chicago to London
Unconditional Connection
All those who’ve been affected by Vitiligo have an enormous network of people to find comfort in and finding the courage to remain confident in who you are is the strong point of those who champion Vitiligo. Celebrate your beauty!
Come together and celebrate World Vitiligo Day on June 25th, and as Rich Cohen of the New York Times states, “So bring it on, and let it come.”
prof premraj pushpakaran writes–let us celebrate World Vitiligo Day!!!