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As the World celebrates World Vitiligo Day on June 25, the African Ambassador and Face of Vitiligo Support and Awareness Foundation (VITSAF), Honya Enam Heikeens is calling on the public not discriminate against persons with vitiligo, but instead encourage them to be self- confident in realizing their dreams. "Vitiligo is not contagious disease and to all out there who have vitiligo be proud, comfortable and confident in your own skin,� adding that the public should "show love and support to people with vitiligo since it is just a normal skin disease." She pointed out that vitiligo persons suffer discrimination at work and schools, among others with some being denied employment opportunities. Honya Enam said this in an interview with the DAILY HERITAGE in Koforidua. She stated that "initially I was shy to mingle with people because of the stigmatization, but due to the support from friends and family and CEO of the Vitiligo Support, madam Ogo Maduewesi , I gathered confidence to go to school and by God�s grace I am now pursuing nursing at Keta Nursing Training College in the Volta region." It is estimated that over 1,000 vitiligo persons are in Africa. Vitiligo is a disease that causes the loss of skin color in blotches. The extent and rate of color loss from vitiligo is unpredictable. It can affect the skin on any part of the body. It may also affect hair, the inside of the mouth and even the eyes. Normally, the colour of hair, skin and eyes is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning. Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with darker skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or make you feel bad about yourself. In most cases, vitiligo develops early in life, between the ages of 10 and 30 years. Ninety-five percent of those affected will develop the disorder before age 40. Both men and women are equally likely to develop vitiligo. Vitiligo may run in families; those with a family history of vitiligo or premature graying of the hair are at increased risk for the development of vitiligo. Other risk factors that increase one's chances of developing vitiligo include having auto-immune diseases, such as auto-immune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis).