There are a lot of people who for some reason do not believe we should stand up for our rights and demand a cure for Vitiligo a neglected and underestimated condition. They say Vitiligo is not life threatening and not contagious when most persons living with Vitiligo are emotionally and psychologically dead. That we must embrace a life of hiding from sunlight and from the society. We must be faced with stigma, segregation and rejection the society refuse to agree exist.

World Vitiligo Day Initiative is the international awareness and fundraising day for all Vitiligo persons, organization and support groups.

• It is our collective effort to drive extensive global Vitiligo Awareness, to help ease the psychological effects of Vitiligo,
• Effectively educate the public and bring Vitiligo cause to World center stage.
• To help alleviate the misunderstanding of the public, neglect and underestimation of both the public and medical community and
• Improve our Quality of Life (QoL), self-esteem as well as self-confidence of the affected.

Having an unusual appearance can be particularly difficult in a society that places a strong emphasis on physical appearance, and one in which we are constantly exposed to images of the idealised 'perfect' body and face. The psychological implications for people with visual difference can be immense, it's usually do to how the public society accepts them, society stares, makes unfriendly comments, segregate and stigmatizes. Contrary to common assumptions, the degree of distress is not related to the extent of the disfigurement (Rumsey 2001). Typical problems include reduced self-esteem and psychological well-being, increased depression and self-consciousness, difficulty with social interactions and employing effective coping strategies, body image concerns and a detrimental impact upon quality of life.

Why June 25th is suggested as World Vitiligo Day?

MJ and Prince The date would resonate within the broader community due to its, albeit unfortunate, connection to Michael Jackson, whose vitiligo was the most famous and publicly debated case of all time. June 25 is Michael Jackson passing date a significant date in the Vitiligo calendar. Anyhow we look at it and want to argue it, his Vitiligo brought awareness to Vitiligo as most people heard about Vitiligo for the first time through Michael Jackson’s life history and today some already refer to Vitiligo as Michael Jackson's disease. His death attracted about 2millions hits on Vitiligo websites in a few days. Michael Jackson even in death is still being misunderstood about his change in skin color, a kind of misunderstanding majority with Vitiligo still face today.

Over 100 million of people suffer from this skin disease daily, but there is no cure in sight. VRF

World Health Organisation has defined Health thus:

With extensive awareness on Vitiligo there will be a better understanding of Vitiligo amongst the public, attention and care within the medical community and millions of people worldwide would be saved from social isolation and persecution.

You can Help by

• Signing our petition on http://www.25june.org
• Please do share with friends, colleagues, families, media and more.
• You can generate an announcement on podcast, radio or television stressing upon World Vitiligo Day June 25th.
• You can advertise on your newsletter
• Company employees partnership

Some World Vitiligo Links

• Facebook page – World Vitiligo Day, 25 June
• VITSAF, Nigeria
• South Africa
• In Kenya
• Facebook – World Vitiligo day 2011 with friends in USA
• Facebook – My Vitiligo World, Indonesia/etc…

Get involved, Advocate, Campaign, Share, Sign our petition, add your name to help us achieve World Vitiligo Day 25june.org