Today I came across a very exciting announcement. To most people in the world it may seem like just another convention, but for us with vitiligo, it’s an indication that our voices are being heard, and that there are many, many people out there who truly want to help find a cure for vitiligo and find a way to better our lives while they work to find that cure.
Dear Friends, it is a great honour and pleasure for me to chair the FIRST VITILIGO WORLD CONGRESS to be held on September 23-24, 2010 at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milano.
Why at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute? Because, using the words of its Founder and President, Don Luigi Maria Verzé, “the San Raffaele complex focuses exclusively on every aspect of man: a blend of soma, intellect and spirit as far as duration and quality are concerned”, as well as because clinical and basic research are core activities of the Institute.
Why a congress dedicated solely to vitiligo? Because in spite of not being a rare disease, of being classified as a disease by the WHO (World Health Organisation) and of being one of the most psychologically devastating chronic skin diseases, with a major impact on both patients and their families, vitiligo is still today underrated and underestimated. Still today there are dermatologists who minimize the impact of the disease, who trivialize the condition or deceive patients’ expectations, leaving them vulnerable to therapies not proven effective, often found within the depths of Internet.
In view of the fact that these last ten years have witnessed a growing interest for research and an improved understanding of the mechanisms regulating the disease, of its genetic susceptibility and of the role played by autoimmunity, this highly intense conference – the Faculty of which is made up by the most eminent experts in the field – sets itself the goal of becoming an ideal occasion for an innovative and in-depth analysis of vitiligo.
The Congress is going to focus on recent developments in our understanding of the disease, touching on such different research areas as genetics, endocrinology, immunology, photobiology and psychology. Old and new therapeutic approaches for vitiligo are going to be a major issue for debate.
Saturday, September 25, will be dedicated to patients: “Vitiligo, where are we now? Interaction among patients, clinicians and scientists”. Goal of this event is to allow patients to play an active role in the field of research and to provide them with more information on existing therapies.
With the hope that each one of You would make his own contribution to this Congress I send you my best regards,
Prof. Santo Raffaele Mercuri
VITILIGO 2010: WHERE ARE WE NOW?
INTERACTION AMONG PATIENTS, CLINICIANS AND SCIENTISTS
Milano, September 25th, 2010
General Information
This meeting is realised in co-operation with ARIV (Associazione Italiana Ricerca e Informazione per la Vitiligine), a patient-driven, non-profit organisation based in Italy, representing the interest of those affected by vitiligo. Its aim is to improve the quality of life of patients and family, helping them to cope with the disease and its disfiguring unpredictable skin changes.
The First Vitiligo World Congress is a good opportunity to open new communication channels: patients will have the chance to work in partnership with investigators, clinicians and healthcare professionals, interacting with members of the international vitiligo scientific community.
Moreover, patients will have the opportunity to assume an active role in participating and encouraging present and future research.
Congress Venue
San Raffaele Congress Centre
Via Olgettina 58 – 20132 Milano
Italy
Organising Secretariat
San Raffaele Congress Centre
Via Olgettina 58 – 20132 Milano – Italy
Phone +39 02 2643 3725
Fax +39 02 2643 3754
e-mail: info@vwc2010.com