Africa
World Vitiligo Day was celebrated across the continent with great enthusiasm. Among all awareness campaigns, Satisfashion Uganda’s campaign stood out. The fashion, style, beauty, and wellness platform dedicated its June issue to celebrating women with vitiligo. This special edition highlighted the inspiring stories of Doreen Buchanan, an interior decorator; Michelle Neza, an accountant; Eva Atukunda, the chairperson of the Uganda Vitiligo Association; and Cerinah Tugume, the CEO of Serene Beauty Salon.
Europe
The Vitiligo Society planned a big vitiligo awareness event on June 25. The event took place over Zoom, welcoming an incredible mix of experts and community ambassadors from around the UK to share their knowledge, experience, and personal stories. The panel of experts included Dr. Alia Ahmed, a Consultant Dermatologist and Site Clinical Lead for Dermatology at Frimley Health Foundation Trust; Aimee McKay, Miss Great Britain Glasgow; and Vitiligo Society Ambassadors Reuben, Nirjeet, Joti Gata-Aura, and Professor Andrew Thompson. In the Netherlands, Vitiligo NL organized a physical WVD event at The Metal Cathedral in Utrecht.
North America
In the USA, the 2024 World Vitiligo Day conference was organized in Indianapolis, Indiana, from June 21 to 23. The highlights of the conference included a session featuring Indianapolis Congressman Carson and a session on “Mental Health: Psychological Impact of Vitiligo” by Tonja Johnson. Other interesting topics covered at the conference included “Dermatologists’ Dialogue,” “Married with Vitiligo,” “Single/Dating with Vitiligo,” and “Parenting with Vitiligo.”
Supermodel Winnie Harlow wished her followers “World Vitiligo Day” for the first time. She opened up about vitiligo on her social media for the first time, writing, ” I’ve heard when people think of vitiligo, they think of Michael Jackson and Me. But Vitiligo is so much more complex than just 2 people. When I think of vitiligo, I think of how lonely it was growing up feeling like the only person in the world who was different like me.” She wrote, “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, getting messages from, and getting tagged by so many of you over the years, and just like you finally get to see yourself through me, I get to see myself through you.” My younger self longed to have this community. To see myself in others. When I think of vitiligo, I think of YOU!”
South America
Each year, World Vitiligo Day is officially hosted by a different country. In 2023, Kazakhstan acted as the campaign headquarters for all World Vitiligo Day activities. This year, the global WVD headquarters shifted to Cali, Colombia. All WVD 2024 activities were conducted under the theme “United by the Skin / Unidos Por la Piel.
