Community Awareness

There are many people all around the world who do not know what vitiligo is.  It is important to spread awareness about vitiligo for this very reason.  What are the benefits of spreading community awareness?  People get to understand what vitiligo is and can clarify what questions they have. Spreading awareness also reaches out to people who have vitiligo, but who may not have any resources or support system.  There are many ways to spread awareness in the community.

Over the past couple of months, I have had been putting forth efforts along with a few of my friends in order to spread awareness about vitiligo within the community.  We visited a couple elementary schools and taught students about vitiligo.  They were all very interested in learning more and asked several questions.  At local libraries, we passed out brochures and set up booths with educational information. In our school, we posted flyers with fun facts about vitiligo.  To appeal to all age groups, we distributed wristbands.  What have I learned from these events?  Spreading awareness increases the population of people who know about vitiligo.  I was able to talk to people who knew others with vitiligo. Talking about vitiligo strengthened me as a person.  I felt more confident after answering questions and talking about my own experience with vitiligo.

If you would like to spread community awareness about vitiligo, there are several ways to do so.  Get friends to help create informative brochures or pamphlets.  Work with support groups or health organizations to set up walkathons and information booths.   Hold an informative campaign about vitiligo on World Vitiligo Day (June 25th).  The most important thing to remember while spreading community awareness is that you are increasing knowledge for a good cause, so enjoy the events you participate in and be confident in yourself!

We need your help!

If you would like to contribute to this year's vitiligo walk-a-thon please donate at www.causes.com; search vitiligo and then 2013 vitiligo walkathon and make your donations.

Walkers may also contribute on the day of the walkathon at the park.

We hope all of you will join the cause.

Vitiligo Walk-A-Thon

2013 Vitiligo Walk-a-Thon

June 22, 2013 – Dallas/Richardson, Texas, 9-12 p.m.

The local Dallas/Fort Worth Vitiligo Support Group, in conjunction with Vitiligo Support
International, is pleased to announce the 2013 Vitiligo Walk-a-Thon! The Vitiligo Walk-a-
Thon’s goals are to help educate and raise awareness in our community about this condition, as
well as to raise funds for Vitiligo Support International (VSI), a nonprofit organization working
to improve the lives of those with vitiligo by offering educational resources, patient/family
support, and promoting vitiligo research and awareness. VSI is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit
organization; therefore, all donations are tax-deductible. Sign-up now for the 2013 Vitiligo
Walk-a-Thon and together we can help find a cure for vitiligo!

Let's Get Started!

Where: Breckenridge Park in Richardson, Texas. The registration area and starting line
is located at the gazebo on the East side of Breckenridge Park near Brand Road.

When: Saturday, June 22, 2013. Registration starts at 8:00 am and the walk begins at 9:00.

What: Walkers can choose between two routes: a 5k (~3 mile) path or a 1.25 mile
shorter route. Water and light snacks will be provided for all participants. Participants
who register by June 4 will also receive a 2013 Vitiligo Walk-a-Thon T-Shirt!

How do I sign up?
1. Email vitiligowalk@gmail.com and give us your name and T shirt size by June 4th so we can order
your T-shirt. We will send you all the necessary forms, including the registration form which you can
submit back via email to vitiligowalk@gmail.com. A signed waiver form is necessary for EACH
walker and can be turned in on the day of the walk or can be signed onsite before starting the walk.
2. We hope you sign up many sponsors to support you as a walker. Use the sponsor forms to register
sponsors such as family members, friends, teachers, work associates or small businesses that you
frequent, etc. You should include the “What is Vitiligo” informational sheet to increase awareness of
vitiligo. We recommend that you set your sponsorship goal for at least $50! The walker with the
highest donation amount will receive an award, and be listed in the Vitiligo Support
International Fall newsletter, which goes out to over 35,000 members worldwide!
3. Bring the sponsorship forms and payments with you to turn in on the day of the walk or mail all
sponsorship forms with checks or credit card information to:

2013 Vitiligo Walk-a-Thon
Vitiligo Support International
P.O. Box 3565
Lynchburg, Virginia 24503

Hope

Life is a long bumpy dirt road,

whisking you through moments that take your breath away

The road is worn by rain and sunshine,

your tears and happiness paving the way 

You meet different people who change your life,

helping you understand that faith and courage will take you through the battle

Soon you come to realize,

the road is formed by you and your dreams

Dreams that take you to heights formerly perceived as unreachable,

to find that the beauty in life is within  yourself

So smile and laugh over the smallest things in life,

for they may become your greatest memories

There is light beyond the obstacles,

waiting for you to set out and find it 

And if there may be anything lost along the way,

let hope be the last.

By Medha Iyer

Let the games begin!

The London 2012 Olympics started with a bang on Friday with the Olympic competitive spirit in the air!  Among those spirited individuals was Dave Allemby, one of the London 2012 Olympic flame torchbearers.  Having this opportunity is one of a lifetime and is a great honor!  Allemby was provided with the great opportunity for putting forth great efforts to raise awareness and charitable donations for various causes, including conditions such as vitiligo.  A vitiligo patient himself, Allemby wants to raise awareness of the condition to make a difference. He has been conducting a fundraiser for the Vitiligo Society.  To view his fundraising page, see the link below:

http://www.justgiving.com/daveallemby1956

Here is some more information of Dave Allemby and his efforts:

http://www.goolecourier.co.uk/news/local-news/torchbearer-dave-to-represent-wombwell-1-4375670
 

Medha

Hi everyone!  My name is Medha.  I am 14 years old and have had vitiligo since I was 8.  The vitiligo started as a small spot on my foot, from which it went on to spread to my hands, knees, elbows, and face.  Through several of my experiences, I have learned to appreciate who I am and be thankful for the things I have.  I have met so many people along the way who have completely changed the way I look at things.  Vitiligo has brought me to cherish the amenity of each moment in life.

 A research project in middle school led me to network with professionals in the vitiligo society and frankly, I must say, it completely changed the way I regarded not only my vitiligo, but how others dealt with the condition as well.  Through networking, my family's effort led to the founding of a vitiligo support group in the DFW area.  The support group has met 3 times so far and is making great progress.  It was through this networking that I came to befriend Yeliana, who has provided me with this great opportunity to connect with all of you!

Reasons why I love Vitiligo.

Why I have learned to LOVE Vitiligo, you might be thinking how? love a skin disorder that causes someone to be starred at, made fun of and misunderstood? Yes. These are the reasons why!

1. Vitiligo has helped me meet new wonderful people.

2. Vitiligo has let me reach out to others in hope to inspire and educate.

3. Vitiligo has changed my view on beauty, self image and self love.

4. Vitiligo has helped me realize how unique each and every one of us is.

5. Vitiligo has awarded me with pure true friends who love me because of what is on the inside and choose to not judge me about what is on the outside.

6. Vitiligo has helped me mature and learn so many things.

7. Vitiligo has helped bring me out of my comfort zone to talk to new people about this rare disease and show my skin.

8. Vitiligo has brought me closer to God.

9. Vitiligo has not only helped me notice my imperfections but has helped me EMBRACE them, as hard as it may seem to do at times.

So before you start to hate your skin and ask yourself "why me?" think of all of the positive ways Vitiligo has impacted you! Love you all, stay beautiful, stay pure. (I like the sound of that, I might just use it to end off my posts from now on.)

Happy World Vitiligo Awareness Day

OH MY GOSH! I have tried reaching out to a ton of people and it has payed off. Thank you SO MUCH to EVERYONE reading this!! I love you all so much and look forward to sharing new things with you! I was ASTONISHED by the amount of feedback I have received on my Instagram and Facebook! Honestly I used to just ignore it, the vitiligo and I didn't think much about it but since then I have learned SO MUCH and am a better person because of it. I honestly want to inspire people and help them get through this. If by any means you are feeling down or need support or just simply want to talk to me FEEL FREE to email me anytime! I will always reply! Don't be shy! :)


Super thanks to the people who voted in the two polls I have up, I am genially curious to see the results! 

Haha I just realized how much capitalized words there are, I'm just so happy!
I will continue to regularly update this blog so if you would like to continue to see posts from me follow this blog or sign up to receive updates with your email.

Here's my little list of ways to contact me if you are interested :)
Instagram- @my_only_sunshine
Email- yelianacat@yahoo.com

I'll probably make a Facebook page soon :)

One last thing: STAY BEAUTIFUL, stay pure, stay you.

Can you SPOT the difference?

So I recently came across a new Vitiligo spot/patch forming on my face, this is due to the fact my face receives a significantly less amount of UV light because it is sensitive and I use a pillowcase to cover my face for my UV light treatments. If you have Segmental Vitiligo that is not being treated or spreads easily then you may wonder how to tell the difference between a new spot and a disappearing spot. Given that usually Vitiligo only "disappears"  when treated but in some cases your skin may go through a change and suddenly produce color in that area.

New

This is a picture of new Vitiligo spots starting to appear on my face. It is very hard to tell in a picture and may seem undetectable by the human eye in person. Take a closer look, the area's I have (very roughly) circled are areas that the Vitiligo is starting to appear. These area's turn lighter almost cloudy until it forms into a more unified spot. If a person is more fair-skinned it may be harder to detect a new forming spot/patch.

Keep Reading for pictures and explanation. :)

Summer Lovin'

     Its finally Summer and what does that mean here in Texas? Hot hot hot and sun sun sun! But is sun not fun for you because of your Vitiligo? There are plenty of very strong sunscreen's available to prevent sunburn and sun damage. The top two ingredients you should look for when shopping for sunscreen are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. The optimal sunscreen should contain BOTH!  I've provided a short list of some of the Sunscreen's I have tried out in the past.

Sunscreen's marked with a ** contain both Zinc and Titanium.

Keep Reading! :)

Support Group!

Here's a great idea, join a Vitiligo Support Group!
Support Group's are a great way to interact with people similar to you.

First start off with searching the web for a Vitiligo Support Group in your area, Support Groups usually have meetings and event's for the public to attend and the latest treatments and research.

Can't find a Support Group near you? Here's the link to the International Vitiligo Support Group: http://www.vitiligosupport.org/

Here's the link to Vit Friend's facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/59746217290/members/A sharing and caring space for VITILIGO people called VITFriends. A place for family and friends of VIT people and those who are interested in learning more about this condition.  

ATTENTION TO EVERYONE IN DFW (keep reading!)

Some Inspiration! :)

                                                                 

 Hey guys here is some inspiration for the day, this beautiful young woman has Vitiligo and shares her view on it in this video. Enjoy!

God Tattoos

What is Vitiligo?

 Vitiligo (vit-ill-EYE-go) is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Similar patches may also appear on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose), and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). The hair that grows on areas affected by vitiligo may also turn white.

 I'm Yeliana, I love animals and ballet, I'm Venezuelan but I was born and raised in Texas, now had I been introducing myself in real life you would have already noticed, I have Vitiligo. I am not ashamed by this fact, it just is what it is. I wear shorts in the summer and long sleeves in the winter like your average teenage girl. Do people talk? Yes. Do I let it negatively affect my life? Absolutely not! I see Vitiligo as an opportunity to reach out to people, an opportunity to inspire. A learning experience. It redefines the lines of beauty. I'm here to share with you my journey and discoveries so please follow along :)