The Issue: Psychological Damage from Skin Disorder

Vitiligo is a noncontagious pigmentation disorder that destroys melanocytes in the skin, resulting in white patches across the body and scalp. Vitiligo affects approximately 1 million–2 million people in the United States, half of whom develop the condition before age 20, according to the National Institutes of Health. Though the patches of white skin do not cause physical pain, their appearance can lead to psychological effects including embarrassment, anxiety, and depression.

The Campaign: Distributing Summer Sun-Protection Kits

If this Grassroots campaign raises $500, then Vitiligo Bond, Inc. can distribute summer sun-protection kits to three young people with vitiligo. Each additional $160 raised will supply another youth with vitiligo with a sun-protection kit. The kits contain a UV-protective hat, sunscreen, and Dermablend coverup. The hat and sunscreen help to prevent sunburn and minimize the difference in skin tone during the hottest months of the year, and the coverup helps to approximate the natural skin color on the white patches, evening out children's skin tones.

You can follow the progress of this and other Grassroots campaigns at the Groupon Grassroots website.