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Hello ,
World Vitiligo Day is almost here.
What began as a small awareness effort has grown into a global movement with its own history, legislation, art, films, research programs, patient organizations, and supporters around the world.
This week we’re looking at where that journey began, where it’s happening now, and where it’s heading next.
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A Movement With a Memory
Most people know World Vitiligo Day began in 2011. Fewer realize the story started much earlier.
We recently published the most complete historical timeline we’ve assembled so far, tracing the movement from its earliest roots to today’s global campaign.
Read the WVD History
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Fifty Years Later
In 1975, Congressman Parren J. Mitchell introduced the National Vitiligo Control Act, one of the earliest efforts focused specifically on vitiligo awareness and support in the United States.
Fifty years later, we looked at what happened, what worked, what faded, and why the question still matters.
Read the Article
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Washington Vitiligo Day
History is still being written.
Governor Bob Ferguson has proclaimed June 25 as Washington Vitiligo Day.
The effort was led by Cora Smith, a high school student from Fox Island who lives with vitiligo and decided that awareness deserved a place on the state calendar. Not bad for a "skin condition," eh?
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World Vitiligo Day Around the World
World Vitiligo Day has never been a single event.
While Chandigarh serves as the international headquarters this year, awareness activities are taking place across multiple continents.
World Vitiligo Day HQ 2026 Program
🇺🇸 WVD-USA is organized by the Global Vitiligo Foundation and hosted by the North Carolina Vitiligo Support Community in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 26–28.
🇪🇺 VIPOC is running events across European Union member states through its growing network of patient organizations and advocates.
Learn more about WVD-USA
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Vote in the WVD Art Competition
Public voting for the WVD Art Competition has begun.
This year’s lineup is strong, emotional, and wonderfully hard to rank. Voting closes on June 25, with winners announced the same day.
Cast Your Vote
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Library Grants: Building Local Resources
Knowledge scales surprisingly well.
This month we approved new Vitiligo Library Grant support for:
- Congolese Vitiligo Association
- Vitiligo Society of Kenya
- Mask Off Vitiligo Awareness & Support Initiative
These projects will help place educational resources directly into the hands of patients, families, schools, and local support communities.
Read the Grant Update
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Stories Worth Your Time
A few recent VRF stories generated strong conversations. Each also connects with a new episode of Deep Dive in Vitiligo.
How vitiligo moved from silence and stereotypes into documentaries, film, and mainstream representation.
A practical look at sunscreen, depigmented skin, risk, habits, and the gap between advice and real life.
A field guide to the companies, technologies, and scientific bets shaping the future of treatment.
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Help Shape Future Care
Most surveys ask people to squeeze their lives into checkboxes.
The new Brox.ai vitiligo survey tries something different. It asks about personal experiences, treatment journeys, frustrations, and perspectives that often disappear inside traditional questionnaires.
Qualified participants in the United States may receive reward points redeemable for a $120 gift card, subject to study rules and successful completion.
Learn More & Take the Survey
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In Case You Missed It
The most-clicked story from our previous newsletter was refreshingly practical:
Vitiligo Camouflage: The Practical Guide to Covering Patches When You Just Don’t Feel Like Explaining
Sometimes people want visibility. Sometimes they just want to buy groceries in peace. The guide covers modern camouflage options, application tips, and real-world choices, including a quick case example from Zanderm.
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Thank You to Our International Sponsors
World Vitiligo Day grows because patients, physicians, researchers, advocacy organizations, industry partners, policymakers, and families keep showing up year after year.
This month we highlighted two organizations helping sustain that momentum:
In the next newsletter, we’ll update you on national sponsors, including Eris Oaknet Healthcare, Sun Pharma, and VTS LifeSciences.
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As World Vitiligo Day approaches, thank you for being part of this growing global story.
See you on June 25.
Yan Valle
Professor h.c., CEO VRF
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https://vrfoundation.org
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