Who is VITFriends?
VITFriends will be featured in an upcoming documentary film called "More Than Our Skin" created by Hull Bay Productions
MORE THAN OUR SKIN is a film designed to
incorporate four key elements in telling this
important story. Here are the sections below:
The film, More Than Our Skin will be a
documentary exploring in depth the effects of
living with Vitiligo through the stories of those
who live it.
Through the personal and often painful stories
of eight women (and/or men), More Than Our
Skin will dig into a deeper understanding of
what it means to live with Vitiligo:
Stories of falling into deep depression
Stories of contemplating suicide
Stories of isolation and addiction
Stories of death
We want the individuals telling their stories to change the narrative of what people think of Vitiligo. We want to eliminate the stigmas by allowing the viewing audience to meet the people who will share their stories of pain and promise.
To learn more about this film click here!
incorporate four key elements in telling this
important story. Here are the sections below:
The film, More Than Our Skin will be a
documentary exploring in depth the effects of
living with Vitiligo through the stories of those
who live it.
Through the personal and often painful stories
of eight women (and/or men), More Than Our
Skin will dig into a deeper understanding of
what it means to live with Vitiligo:
Stories of falling into deep depression
Stories of contemplating suicide
Stories of isolation and addiction
Stories of death
We want the individuals telling their stories to change the narrative of what people think of Vitiligo. We want to eliminate the stigmas by allowing the viewing audience to meet the people who will share their stories of pain and promise.
Welcome Home
from
VITFriends Board, PPP/PPT and State Leaders
https://www.vitfriends.org/boardofdirectors.htm
and our
Blog Talk Radio Show Team
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/VITFRIENDS
Belong ... Empower ... LIVE
VITFriends, like the North Star, we desire to be known as an anchor to the Vitiligo Community. VITFriends desires to serve as a landmark, to support and empower those who needs direction and information. VITFriends, like the North Star desires to serve as a beacon of inspiration and hope. We will remain Boots on the Ground for those who desire to LIVE in the skin their in!
Prepare for our 2021 Virtual Celebration. Hosted by the Global Vitiligo Foundation and MyVitiligoTeams
To register click HERE
Vitiligo is a BEAUTIFUL thing! Vitiligo is a BE-YOU-tiful thing!
Valarie Molyneaux
President/CEO
www.vitfriends.org
Remembering 2019:
Our 2019 National Vitiligo Community Conference and World Vitiligo Celebration was a major success, with over 320 in attendance.
THANKS to the hard work of Dianne Tribbit and the Houston Vitiligo Awareness Movement Team. CONGRATULATIONS!
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What is Vitiligo and Who is VITFriends?
by
Katrina Christian
our
N.C. Co-Leader
https://www.facebook.com/cinema1films/videos/1756219691152882/?t=49
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Info about World Vitiligo Day:
"World Vitiligo Day is a day to create extensive awareness
on vitiligo and a day dedicated to all living with vitiligo globally"
Says: Ogo Maduewesi, a Nigerian Vitiligo patient,
Founder and Executive Director of the
Vitiligo Support and Awareness Foundation (VITSAF)
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As we look at the future of Vitiligo,
What is it that we ASK of our Politicians?
- For Vitiligo to
be classified as a disease?
- For treatment or
medications specific to Vitiligo?
- For Vitiligo to
be COVERED by Insurance?
- For Government
funding for Research?
- For Funding for
Support Group and awareness efforts?
The revival of The National Vitiligo Act.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/94th-congress/house-bill/5264
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VITFriends is a PROUD Member of:
NIH Coalition
https://www.niams.nih.gov/about/partnerships/niams-coalition/coalition-members#volunteer
Global Vitiligo Foundation
https://www.globalvitiligofoundation.org/global-vitiligo-support-community
Vitiligo Research Foundation
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YOUR support - Any Support
WILL make a difference!
Shop on at AMAZON-smile, and THEY will
give to VITFriends
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/80-0618761
Quick video on how to use Amazon Smile
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We encourage our young people to reach for the STARS
and
Let nothing stand in their way!
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Our HISTORIC - 1st World Vitiligo Day Rally
June 25, 2016
on the
US Capitol Steps, Washington, D.C.
/https://wvdusa.org/2016-wvd-usa-washington-d-c/
This event that was a major success!
QUOTE:
"Look how far we've come"
- Alicia Roufs, MN Leader -
WEZE RADIO Boston, MA Click for announcement
WHAT is VITILIGO
Vitiligo is REAL! Living with Vitiligo, Eczema, Discoid Lupus, Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis, or any other form of skin condition can be for most patients, a physical, mental and emotional challenge; but it IS possible.
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VITILIGO - What is this THING?
What is Vitiligo? Vitiligo (pronounced - VITTLE - EYE -GO) is a skin condition resulting from loss of pigment which produces white patches.
Who Gets Vitiligo? Vitiligo affects one or two of every 100 people. About half the people who develop it do so before the age of 20; about one?fifth have a family member with this condition.
How Does Vitiligo Develop? It is believed that VIT is an autoimmune pigmentation disorder that destroys the melanocytes (cells which make pigment) leaving skin and hair depigmented. It results from complex interaction of environmental, genetic, and immunologic factors, which ultimately contributes to melanocyte destruction.Typical vitiligo shows areas of milky-white skin. However, the degree of pigment loss can vary within each vitiligo patch. Vitiligo often begins with a rapid loss of pigment. This may continue until, for unknown reasons, the process stops. Cycles of pigment loss, followed by times where the pigment doesn't change, may continue indefinitely.
How is Vitiligo Treated? Sometimes the best treatment for vitiligo is no treatment at all. However there are several different ointments and things to rub on the skins, as well as light theraphy now available.
Is Vitiligo Curable? At this time, the exact cause of vitiligo is not known, however, there may be an inherited component. Although some treatment is available, there is NO single cure.
Concerns to be considered: Vitiligo is a condition that can have major affects on ones Quality of Life. Vitiligo can be an emotionally devastating condition that can affect all involved. Supporting, encouraging and empowering individuals with vitiligo is our primary goal and is done mainly through our website and our annual conferences.
Research: There are several theories as to what is triggering and influencing this autoimmune dysfunction. Many believe that this likely means that vitiligo is the result of a multi-faceted set of factors, including a complex set of genes, stress, accumulation of toxic compounds, infection, autoimmunity mutations, and impaired melanocytes. Research is focused on understanding this interplay of factors in order to improve existing therapies and, for the first time, be able to design therapies to stop depigmentation.
Ref: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/vitiligo#tab-overview
QUICK News Highlights.....
Vitiligo is becoming increasingly prevalent. What are your concerns?
Our concerns are:
* that you would consider helping VITFRIENDS with this work of educating others.
* that you would help us as we support and encourage individuals with Vitiligo.
* that you would attend our annual conference and also share it with others.
* that you would distribute our brochures, flyers and postcards to individual you encounter with Vitiligo.
* that you would volunteer to assist at our educational seminars and conference which are held every year
* that you would pray for this organization.
* that you would GIVE to this non-profit organization.
Please email us your questions: support@vitfriends.org - or - visit our GUESTBOOK and share your thoughts.
Autoimmune diseases are the result of the other side of immune dysfunction, whereby the immune system becomes overactive, or hyper-responsive, and begins mistakenly attacking cells within its own body. In the case of vitiligo, your body's immune system is attacking your melanocytes, which are your pigment-making cells.
Though vitiligo is treated with immune-suppressing therapies, they are most often topical ointments or UV light, which do not suppress the immune system to the extent of becoming immune-compromised.
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