The headquarters of second annual World Vitiligo Day have moved across Atlantic, from Rome, Italy to Detroit, USA. This transition set the stage for a series of impactful events that spanned the globe, ranging from grassroots efforts to high-profile gatherings.

The celebration kicked off on June 12 with a WVD street walk in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria, organized by VITSAF members. This event set the tone for the worldwide activities to follow, like leaflet distribution in New York, USA or street performances in Chandigarh, India.

On June 25, the campaign gained media attention when vitiligo spokesperson and entertainment guru Lee Thomas invited Yan Valle and Dr. Masha Henderson to discuss World Vitiligo Day on his morning show at Fox 2 TV studio in Detroit.

The following day, June 26, saw a open roundtable discussion at Henry Ford Hospital. Organized by the VR Foundation, the Vitiligo Working Group (later known as the Global Vitiligo Foundation), and the Southeast Michigan Vitiligo Support group, the event was led by Dr. Henry Lim, Dermatology Chair and honorary WVD President.

The roundtable featured a diverse panel of experts:

- Drs. Hamzavi and Grimes discussed the current state of vitiligo therapeutics, expressing cautious optimism for future treatments based on ongoing research.
- Yan Valle briefed the audience on the inaugural WVD campaign and VRF's efforts to unite researchers and patients.
- Ogo Maduewesi addressed the stigma and misconceptions about vitiligo prevalent in Africa.
- VSI leader Jackie Gardner shared insights on educating patients about the complexities of vitiligo treatment.
- Dr. Huggins, recently recognized for his top of the class participation in VRF's Master Class on Vitiligo and Pigmentary Disorders in Spain, emphasized the importance of patient involvement in research and doctor-patient communication during long-term treatment.

Members of the local Michigan support group actively participated, receiving thorough answers to their questions and engaging in a special project.

A French artist Stephanie Corne contributed to the campaign with a unique portrait project. Corne, who believes "people with vitiligo are already works of art just waiting for a gentle paintbrush touch," created personalized backdrops for each volunteer. She then painted their faces based on their experiences with vitiligo, resulting in stunning photographic portraits that celebrated the beauty of the condition.

These diverse activities garnered worldwide media interest and significantly boosted the campaign's petition for United Nations recognition of World Vitiligo Day. By the end of the events, the petition had collected 130,929 signatures through the official website, marking a crucial milestone in the ongoing effort to raise global awareness about vitiligo.

Update: the entire History of the World Vitiligo Day