Introducing the Recipients of the Incyte Ingenuity Awards in Vitiligo!

VITFriends

VITFriends Vitiligo Support Group, Inc. was awarded up to $100,000 for its project, Legislative and Advocacy Training Weekend. This initiative will unite individuals with vitiligo and their supporters for a weekend of advocacy training focused on both healthcare and public awareness. Participants will learn how to influence vitiligo-related legislation, advocate for better access to treatment and address barriers within the healthcare system. They will also gain skills to educate their communities, raise awareness and foster understanding of vitiligo. Together we can do more!

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

The Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, was selected to receive an award of up to $35,000 to implement its project, Barriers and Facilitators to Psychosocial Support as an Integral Aspect of Vitiligo Patient Comprehensive Care. This proposal aims to explore the accessibility and impact of psychosocial support in vitiligo treatment through standardized surveys identifying barriers and facilitators affecting access to mental health services for patients in Florida. The findings aim to provide actionable solutions for integrating psychosocial support into comprehensive vitiligo care, enhancing patients' overall well-being alongside their physical health.

UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Dermatology

UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Dermatology was selected to receive an award up to $100,000 to implement its project, Removing Educational Equity Barriers for Individuals with Vitiligo.

This proposal sets out to identify the gaps of public education in vitiligo, particularly for children and those who are non-native English language speakers through the creation of a suite of engaging and cutting-edge digital, visual public educational materials. The interactive digital content created an active learning experience for users and improved learning more than passive experiences such as watching a video.

Litty Ligo Vitiligo Community Network

The Litty Ligo Vitiligo Community Network was selected to receive an award up to $35,000 to implement its project, Beautiful Both Ways: A Celebration of You.

This program acknowledged and provided support for commonly reported obstacles by the vitiligo community such as maintaining a healthy body image, managing self-esteem and understanding mental health through an in-person community event. This event hosted workshops and community building activities specifically curated to address living with visible differences. Event attendees had the option to be photographed professionally and have their stories featured in their "Beautiful Both Ways" anthology book.

American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology was selected to receive an award up to $100,000 to implement its project, Good Skin Knowledge.

This program helped destigmatize vitiligo by increasing awareness and equipping educators and community leaders with the resources to teach children about the condition via an English and Spanish training module. The module addressed gaps in education about vitiligo to ease the burden of the condition and showed how it affects people living with vitiligo, creating compassion and awareness for those living with vitiligo.

VStrong Vitiligo Support Community

VStrong Vitiligo Support Community was selected to receive an award up to $35,000 to implement its project, VStrong "Shine"- Vitiligo Sun Protection Strategy.

Through an interactive workshop, VStrong "Shine" united various stakeholders to build a process for providing the vitiligo community with the necessary education about proper sun protection and resources to live a fruitful life while minimizing any negative impact of sun exposure.