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Fourth VIPOC Conference

Cairo, Egypt

13-15 December 2024

Vitiligo patient leaders and representatives

Worldwide Conference

Will Start In

About Event

Strengthen vitiligo advocacy efforts and enhance global visibility.

Share the Latest Advancements in Vitiligo Treatment and Research

 Foster Collaboration Among Patient Leaders and Medical Professionals

Provide a Platform for Knowledge Exchange and Community Building

Why You Should Attend

Register Now

Access Pioneering Research & Treatments

Stay ahead of the curve with the latest advancements in vitiligo care and treatment options, all at your fingertips.

Engage in Hands-On Workshops

Dive into interactive sessions designed specifically for patient leaders, equipping you with the tools and knowledge to make a difference.

Network with Global Leaders

Connect with the world’s top experts and advocates in vitiligo care, forging relationships that can drive real change.

Shape the Future of Advocacy

Play an active role in crafting the strategies that will lead vitiligo advocacy efforts worldwide. Your voice matters!

Event Speakers

Gaone Matewa

President

Gaone Matewa is the President of VIPOC and the founder of Beyond Vitiligo in South Africa and Botswana. She will be speaker for the Africa continent webinar. With over a decade of experience in vitiligo advocacy since 2009, she has collaborated with international organizations and contributed to medical journals alongside experts in the field. Passionate about raising awareness, Gaone continues to lead the charge for vitiligo patients worldwide.

Dr Henri Lim

President of International League of Dermatology Societies

Nicolle Maquignon

Vice Secretary

Nicolle Maquignon serves as the Vice-President of VIPOC's Executive Board of Directors. She will be the speaker for the European continent webinar. Although she does not have vitiligo herself, her deep connection to the disease began with her siblings and daughter, both diagnosed with vitiligo. With over 20 years of involvement in the French Vitiligo Association, Nicolle is passionate about breaking barriers and supporting those affected by vitiligo worldwide, working on communication, international projects, and advocacy efforts to improve understanding and care.

Stephen Taylor

General Secretary

Stephen Taylor, General Secretary of the Vitiligo International Patient Organization Committee, is a dedicated advocate for the vitiligo community. He will be the speaker for the American continent webinar. With over four decades of living with vitiligo, Stephen brings his passion for support and awareness to local, national, and global efforts. Having served on multiple vitiligo organizations, he uses his personal journey and advocacy work to ensure others don't face the condition alone.

Dr Maya Tulpule

Board Member

Dr Maya Tulpule is a board member of VIPOC and General Surgeon who is passionate advocate for vitiligo awareness. She will be the speaker for both the Asia and Australia continent webinar. As the Founder and President of the Shweta Association, a Vitiligo Self-Help Support Group, she has dedicated her life to supporting others with vitiligo, sharing her personal journey of living with the condition since childhood. Through her work with various social organizations, Dr Tulpule continues to inspire and empower others, advocating for self-acceptance and awareness.

Dr Pearl Grimes

President of the Global Vitiligo Foundation

Event Schedule

Registration and Welcome Dinner

Afternoon

  •  Check-in
  • Registration to conference
  • Welcome dinner

 

 

Patient Leaders' Meeting

Morning

  • Coffee in the conference room and networking
  • Introduction of the conference presentation of the day
  • Patient organizations presentations: best practices, success stories, posters
  • Break, networking by regions
  • Workshops: ”What are the roles and what is important in the patient organization to better support patients, to enlarge awareness, for strong advocacy and recognition of the roles of our patient organizations by health authorities, dermatology societies, dermatologist unions and pharma industries involved in vitiligo ?”
  • Workshop reports and synthesis with main recommendations, choice of 4 major recommendations to be implemented
  • Panel Discussion “How to improve and/or launch new initiatives to better support patients, their families by caregivers”
  • Lunchtime

Afternoon

  • 20 years of evolution, what is the new advocacy and awareness landscape for patient organizations today? »
  • Panel discussion « USA, Europe, India : 3 landscapes, what lessons can be learned from these developments? »
  • Workshop Sessions “How dermatologists, patients, and the pharmaceutical industry can collaborate for better impact without losing independence”
  • Break, networking by regions
  • Synthesis of workshop discussion and choice of most important actions to be promoted
  • Conference discussion « Importance of vitiligo patient organizations, how to support, act and advocate
  • Dinner

 

 

Patient Leaders' Meeting

Morning

  • Coffee in the conference room and networking
  • Workshops ”Why do patient organizations need to participate in national guidelines? What can I do? How do I prepare the way? With whom to collaborate? Sharing experiences and future networks
  • Synthesis of workshop discussion and choice of most important actions to be promoted
  • Global discussion
  • Networking Break
  • Workshops by Region « How to leverage vitiligo patient interests and organisations at the regional level? How can we work together with collaboration actions ?»
  • Synthesis of workshop discussion and choice of most important actions to be promoted per region
  • Lunch Break

Afternoon

  • Panel discussion and interaction with attendees “Patient representatives’ involvement in the clinical trial process, scientific studies to have patient inputs and recruitment ways. How to work with a vitiligo scientific council?”
  • Synthesis of the discussion and orientations for patient organisations
  • Panel discussion “Methods to engage and recruit younger members for our organisations, What can we offer?”
  • Round table discussion « Future Directions and Collaborative Initiatives towards 2026 »
  • VIPOC Research: Vitiligo International Symposium attendees and VIPOC conference participants at VIPOC hotel

Scientific Day (Researchers, Dermatologist)

Morning – Patient leaders/Researchers/Dermatologists/Pharma 

  • Vitiligo physiopathology. How does it work in the skin ? 
  • New findings in vitiligo, future medical support for patients 
  • Burden data and patient representatives’ involvement in scientific studies 
  • Vitiligo intenational Recommendations: treatments and Decision Algorithm

Afternoon – Patient leaders/Researchers/Dermatologists/Pharma

  • Vitiligo pipelines : Who works on which aspects ? 
  • Clinical trials (closed, ongoing, forecasted)
  • A promising future with new drugs 
  • Access to data and explanation of the results for advocacy projects 
  • How do we involve patient organizations involvement in the cure and care process ?
  • Build a fruitful collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals 
  • Invitation of VIPOC conference attendees to Vitiligo International Symposium gala dinner

Hotel Check Out

Morning

  •  Attendees check out before 10.00 am

Pre-Register for VIPOC 2024 Conference!

 The last day to pre-register is 30 October 2024. Don’t miss your chance to attend the most impactful vitiligo event of the year!” 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can attend the VIPOC 4th Vitiligo Conference?

Can I attend virtually?

How can I register?

What is the cost of attending?

The 400 Euros per attendee (single room) 

      500 Euros per attendee (double room) 

This fee includes 4 nights at the conference hotel, and full conference participation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the conference for one attendee. 

Our Previous Conferences

“Need assistance? Contact Nicolle Maquignon at nicolle.maquignon@vipoc.org” 

 

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