While 2022 didn't unfold as any of us had hoped, we are grateful for what we accomplished with your support as we look back. The Vitiligo Research Foundation (VRF) has made a notable mark on the world-wide vitiligo community, from providing educational resources to dermatologists, to enhancing awareness among the general population, to aiding patient activists. Here are some of the key accomplishments from the previous year that we are proud of:

Research and Development 

Our Vitiligo Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Insights report follows the research and development activities of biopharma companies in vitiligo. Over the course of the last year, our watchlist of such companies increased from 35 to 41. We are keeping close tabs on developments in three key areas: understanding the mechanism and preclinical information, evaluating past clinical results, and tracking important events.
 
We also supported publication of the challenging hypothesis of electromagnetic waves for vitiligo treatment.

COVID-19 Statement

The VRF's Scientific Advisory Board has monitored the pandemic's effect on vitiligo care since it's onset, which coincidentally aligned with vitiligo session at IMCAS congress in Paris in January 2020. We have encouraged the medical community to report outcomes of COVID-19 in individuals with vitiligo. Following two and half years of investigations into COVID-19 pandemic, the VRF has issued a statement regarding vitiligo patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 to assist healthcare providers around the globe in better managing these cases.
 
Recent study outcomes proved that COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality risk are significantly decreased among patients with vitiligo.

Teledermatology Consensus

COVID-19 has intensified the implementation of telemedicine in the management of vitiligo. New technology opened the possibility of a low-threshold dermatological consultation with skin experts to initiate prompt treatment. However, different views on the telemedicine value in the treatment of vitiligo have been reported by both sides: dermatologists and patients.
 
We have started to formulate the opportunities and limitations of telemedicine in the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo. The VRF’s working group established that management of vitiligo through teledermatology is feasible with few exceptions. Our experts have identified treatments that can be initiated and maintained by teledermatology, and ones that would still require visits to the clinic. With this knowledge, we can formulate the best practices and determine how the VRF can support dermatologists in their work. The analysis is complete, and a manuscript is currently in development.
 

World Vitiligo Day

On June 25th, the 12th edition of World Vitiligo Day was commemorated, with Mexico as the host country and the slogan "Learning to live with Vitiligo." This year the objective went beyond raising awareness, given that a greater impact was sought in education for the patient and the treating physician. We’ve held a press conference at the National Congress of Mexico, with live broadcast on national TV and online. Special thanks to team lead by Dr. Jorge Ocampo Candiani, head of the Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon and Dr. Rossana Llergo Valdez, president of the Mexican Foundation for Dermatology, for the flawless and impactful event organzation.

Community Outreach

At VRF, our work is greatly supported by the contributions of our community members. In 2022, we were excited to see our community numbers grow and diversify:

• Instagram go over 12K followers and over 1M reach,
• Newsletter stay at 25K subscribers, and
• Website float at around 135K unique visitors year after year.

Since 2010, VRF's website has provided more than 1,5 million people with disease information and clinical resources to improve the care of vitiligo patients worldwide. Over 30 new resources for vitiligo professionals were added to the website last year alone. Our free World Vitiligo Map contains an extensive directory of 335 vitiligo care specialists in every corner of the world. 

Nineteen VRF Scientific Board Members and eight Patient Advisory Board Members, collectively from 20 countries, lend their expertise to our projects that advance the understanding of vitiligo, improve patient care and support the next generation of community leaders. 

Educational Activities

Education is a key part of pushing knowledge forward. Our educational activities include a variety of projects and partnerships, including the World Vitiligo Map, Vitiligo Patient Journey Map, COVID-19 statements and resources, telemedicine, global physician outreach and other activities, like:

• poster and paper “Exploring the natural and treatment history of vitiligo: Findings from the global VALIANT study” presented at six major dermatology conferences (e.g.)
• poster and paper “Mental Health and Psychosocial Burden Among Patients With Skin of Color Living With Vitiligo” presented at two major conferences and congresses (e.g.)
• paper “Using methotrexate in the treatment of advanced vitiligo” published in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Our Vitiligo Library project has provided books on vitiligo to NYC Administration for Children’s Services, as well as to our long-time project collaborator VITFriends from Boston, MA.

We have partnered with the publishing house of the World Health Academy Of Dermatology from Switzerland to make our materials accessible through universities and libraries across the European Union in 2023. 

And our favorite project to work on last year was Vitiligo Patient Journey Map, with a short explanatory video coming later this month. 

Digital Communications

We rely more than ever on our digital communication channels to connect a global network of dermatologists and vitiligo enthusiasts. Last year, VRF has worked with media organizations across the globe, such as HCP Live and Karger Publishers, to educate physicians on the topic of vitiligo.
 
In the wake of World Vitiligo Day 2022 and 2023 preparations, VRF partnered with the creative agency the Great Britain KTC Digital Innovation in Mexico to better understand the primary audience, needs, and challenges of the global campaign, create new logo and re-design the website. Our collaboration project with Sane Seven - two outstanding photographers from United Kingdom, New York and London Photography Prize Winner 2021/2022 - was wildly successful on social media.
 
These developments allow us to better connect with our community worldwide and provide personalized care for individuals with vitiligo. 

Looking Forward to 2023

In 2023, the VRF will continue to focus on improving vitiligo care through educational activities. Our Master Class on Vitiligo and Pigmentary Disorders is back on track with its 29th event scheduled this spring. We are working on expanding our awareness programs with vitiligo support groups in USA, South America and Central Asia.
 

All these accomplishments would not have been possible without your generous support and we thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to continuing our mission to help vitiligo patients in the coming year.

Happy New Year 2023!