VITFriends Vitiligo Support Group

04/20/2026

VITFriends is extremely PROUD of its 16 year old PODCAST.

There have been lots of interest in our recent Patient-Led Advocacy Training Summit that was held in CT and our recent PPT Podcast.

These statistics is truly encouraging and a testament to the FACT, that after 17 in existence, Supporting, Educating and Advocating for our National Vitiligo Community, our work and mission is still relevant Globally.

Here's our Teens & Young Adults at work, with the first in a series:
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/aditi-ppt-podcast--71473261

04/20/2026

VITFriends is extremely PROUD of our Purple Patch Teens & Young Adults and the incredible work that they continue to do in our National Vitiligo Community.

Our LUPUS Talk:
Here's our Purple Patch Teens & Young Adults Leaders, as they present the first in their series of upcoming PODCAST.
Meet our Peer Leaders Bella Guarino (NJ).... Priyanka Franciis (CA).... Aparna Deokar (MA) who will introduce themselves and their special guest Aditi Deokar who has Lupus.

Our LUPUS Talk: Meet our Purple Patch Teens & Young Adults Leaders, as they presents the first in their series of upcoming PODCAST. Meet our Peer Leader

04/14/2026

Joshua Hampton is a young man from Maryland, who joined us for our 1st Vitiligo RALLY on the U S Capitol Steps in 2016.

It was the way he greeted me before breakfast in D.C, I immediately asked if he would greet the audience and he said YES.
I was drawn to his passion for Vitiligo then and he had my heart.

Here is Joshua again at our 1st Patient-Led Advocacy Summit April 11 in CT. This was at our closing Sunday morning session after breakfast, and he had my heart once again.

Bringing together leaders from throughout the Vitiligo Community USA, to learn best practices, as we move forward with our Advocacy work.

04/07/2026

If you have NOT registered for this event, you don't have much time. This will offer great TEACHING Tools!

Patient-Led Advocacy Summit - Saturday, April 11, 2026

ZOOM - Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/sHyOT2U8Qyu_9ktWnP196g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

9:00AM - Welcome, Opening Prayer M.C - Rev Dr Wallace Henry III

9:05AM - Senator Doug McCrory

9:08AM - Tonja Johnson: How to create an Awareness Walk Fundraising Advocacy Event in your City

9:45AM - Q & A

10:00AM - State Rep. Rob Consolvo: How to approach your elected officials. House Bill #-1115

10:40AM - Q & A

10:55AM - 5 Min BREAK

11:00AM - Yan Valle: Discussing National Vitiligo Act / June 25 / Global
Update/VIT History

11:45AM - Q & A

12noon - LUNCH
Performer: VITI da Brute (associated with the label XOTCSKN)

1:30PM - Alicia Roufs: Apply for LIT4VIT & Proclamations. Prepare for Vitiligo
Awareness

1:50PM - Q & A

2:00PM - Vicki & Todd Tiahrt: Lobbying for Vitiligo & update-Medicare Coverage
Issue, Our Advocacy Efforts

2:45PM - Q & A

3:00PM - SPEAKERS PANEL, Best Practices: Rob, Tonja, Yan, Alicia, Todd, Vicki

3:45PM - Q & A

Thank you!

Our vision is to share best practices, legislative policy impact and advocacy work. This is a one day summit scheduled for April 11, 2026. Session #1 - 9am -12:30 Session #2 - 1:30 - 4:30pm VITFriends and partnering organizations will come together in a one day summit focused on advocacy. We will be...

04/06/2026

www.vitfriendssummit.com

04/05/2026

For Details or to REGISTER:
www.vitfriendssummit.com

04/03/2026

Well, it is T Minus 7. 6. 5, 4. 3, 2, until LIFTOFF - April 11, 2026 from 9am -to- 4pm

JOIN us via ZOOM for this LIVE Online informative Patient-Led ADVOCACY Training Summit, sponsored by Incyte

You MUST register to participate. Information is at the bottom of our summit website, please REGISTER now: https://www.vitfriendssummit.com/

This is all day and you will have the opportunity to Log-in and Log-off and return using the same login INFO. Please SHARE this INFO, ALL are welcome to attend.

We are extremely excited about our Summit Speaker line-up and our Artists. Here's a look:

03/26/2026

VITFriends is excited to present the 1st ever, Vitiligo Patient-Led Advocacy Training Summit. This will be on April 11, 2026 from 9am -to- 4pm, JOIN us via ZOOM for this LIVE Online informative event, sponsored by Incyte

You MUST register to participate. Here's a look our summit website, REGISTRATION is at the very bottom of the page: https://www.vitfriendssummit.com/

This is all day and you will have the opportunity to Log-in and Log-off and return using the same login INFO.

We are extremely excited about our Summit Speaker line-up and our Artists.

03/26/2026

As leader of the local Vitiligo Community and the Founder/CEO of VITFriends, a nationally recognized Advocacy, Education and Awareness organization, supporting the Global Vitiligo Community;
we are grateful for the amazing partners that is apart of our community.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, that many insurance companies continue to deny as being a disease, instead they label it as a "cosmetic condition." A Cosmetic condition - is listed as things like a pimples.

Today, we HONOR Representative Rob Consalvo for his concern for people living with Vitiligo and who are trying to cope with, purchasing expensive medications, seeking psychological counseling and more...

Here is a look a Rep Rob Consalvo - House Bill to address the greatest NEED within our Vitiligo community which is Insurance Coverage. We ASK that you would consider supporting this BILL and we Thank YOU in advance:

By Representatives Consalvo of Boston and Lawn of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1115) of Rob Consalvo and Lindsay N. Sabadosa for legislation to provide health insurance coverage for individuals with vitiligo. Financial Services.

03/18/2026

Hello Family....IMPORTANT Notice!!!

It's that time of year to REQUEST a State proclamation for either June for Vitiligo Awareness Month - or - for June 25th World Vitiligo Day.

Simply google "STATE proclamation request". You can also do this for the CITY you live in too. Here is a template layout you can use to ask for the Proclamation. If you are a co-leader make sure you communicate with your other leader, so you don't double up. If you know of someone in another State where there is NO Support Group, they CAN do this for their State as well.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PY3hdrtuKW2nGePTcGhHPwfnCv_20YKBQVisi2No7C4/edit?usp=sharing

Once your City or State have notified you that your request is APPROVED, Alicia has created an amazing DATA base and we'd love to gather your INFO here: https://www.vitfriends.org/proclamations

Join our Support Group's Annual Campaign to raise awareness for Vitiligo. Discover how to petition your city and share on social networks!