The vibrant city of Cali, Colombia, hosted the global headquarters for World Vitiligo Day (WVD) 2024 under the theme "United by the Skin" ("Unidos Por La Piel"). Dr. Claudia Arenas served as honorary president, with Dr. Adriana Cruz as General Secretary, supported by the Mayor's Office and former Miss Colombia, Taliana María Vargas.

Preceding the main event, Briya Fitzgerald and her team, backed by the VR Foundation, organized a remarkable Colourful Connections awareness tour across five US cities from June 1-23, featured in Forbes magazine. 

The two-day event at headquarters in Cali:

• June 24: A focus on innovative clinical practices, including a workshop on mini-grafts for vitiligo by Dr. Rafael Falabella, who pioneered this procedure. A record-breaking 108 medical students and clinicians participated in hands-on mini-surgical procedures.
• June 25: Comprehensive coverage of vitiligo management, from AI-driven diagnostics to pharmaceutical and traditional treatments, camouflage techniques, and psychological support.

Key presentations by Drs:
- Yan Valle on the history and milestones of the WVD campaign
- Khaled Ezzedine's recorded talk on vitiligo pathophysiology and JAK inhibitors
- Torello Lotti on alternative therapeutic approaches and clinical applications
- Keith Loo on the advanced AI applications in vitiligo diagnostics and treatment

The event also featured high-caliber presentations from Drs. Johan Flórez Hurtado, Hernán Duque, David Arias, Natalia Vargas, and María Isabel Barona, along with e-poster presentations from Prof. Konstantin Lomonosov, Drs. Julia Sigova and Maria Borodina.

A first for WVD, the event included a creative contest for vitiligo-focused art, poetry, and AI-generated works. Dr. Jacqueline Cifuentes won with her AI-generated photorealistic depiction of a man with vitiligo behind prison bars, symbolizing societal judgement and isolation. Dr. Andrea Arango received equal recognition for her children's book on vitiligo.

The Aksenov Family Foundation provided generous prizes for the contest, while Incyte was acknowledged as a key driver in vitiligo drug development and sponsor of the event hosted under the auspices of the Colombian Society of Dermatology.

In parallel, WVD-2024 saw a remarkable global celebration, with diverse events organized by vitiligo support groups worldwide. Here are just some ot highlights:

AFRICA:

- South Africa: VIPOC President and Beyond Vitiligo South Africa's founder educated listeners about vitiligo on Metro FM.
- Côte d'Ivoire: The Ivorian Vitiligo Association led a massive street walk under the theme "Zero Vitiligo My Fight."
- Kenya: A Library Walk provided activists and patients with vital vitiligo literature from the VR Foundation.
- Tunisia, Ghana, DRC, Zimbabwe, and Uganda hosted lively street and media events.
- The Association Franco-Congolaise du Vitiligo celebrated vitiligo's official recognition in the DRC.

ASIA:

- China: Prof. Xing Hua Gao orchestrated celebrations in large hospitals across 11 cities.
- India: The Shweta Association's Vitiligo Fashion Show celebrated body positivity and self-acceptance.
- Kazakhstan: A series of educational events were held, with one clinic launching supervised home treatment service for patients in remote areas.

AMERICAS:

United States of America:

- The Global Vitiligo Foundation organized Camp Victory for children and a conference for professionals.
- Indianapolis saw the Litty Ligo Vitiligo Community Network's Teen Leadership Summit.
- VITFriends' #Lit4Vit campaign illuminated over 70 national monuments in purple, the unofficial color of the WVD campaign.

Mexico: The support group, established alongside 2022 Senate celebrations, organized a children's fashion show with "Barbie and Ken" props to educate young people about vitiligo.

AUSTRALIA

The Vitiligo Association of Australia hosted an inspiring virtual event.

EUROPE:

- Bordeaux, France: The French Vitiligo Association hosted a well-attended event, featuring striking vitiligo-themed banners across key city locations.
- Utrecht, Netherlands: Vitiligo.nl took to the streets with informative stands and engaging awareness activities.
- United Kingdom: The Vitiligo Society held a virtual gathering, featuring expert speakers and a panel of dermatologists.
- Additional events took place in Germany, Sweden, and Ukraine, further spreading awareness.

This global WVD-2024 celebration underscored the worldwide progress in vitiligo awareness, treatment, and support, exemplifying the power of community and innovation in addressing this condition.