First World Albinism Awareness Day Saturday 13th June 2015

First World Albinism Awareness Day Saturday 13th June 2015

New Zealand’s ‘Albinism Trust’ applauds the United Nations for its foresight in declaring June 13th to be International Albinism Awareness Day.

The UN invited “all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe International Albinism Awareness Day in an appropriate manner.

“It’s a sad reality that in many countries just being born an Albino puts your life in peril” says Allen Little of Levin who is National Organiser of New Zealand’s Albinism Trust. “Social and cultural attitudes toward and about Albinos varies around the world” he said.

There are about 75 children known to have Albinism in New Zealand and the Albinism Trust aims to encourage their progress along pathways of opportunity to success.

“Everyone with Albinism has a capacity to make valuable contributions in fields of interest” said Mr Little.

People with albinism have absent or reduced pigment in their eyes, skin or hair. They have inherited genes which do not make the usual amounts of a pigment called melanin which is essential for the full development of the retina. Albinos have variations of White hair, Pale skin and Grey, Mauve or Pink eyes.

On November 18, 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day. This historic resolution firmly fixes albinism advocacy at a global level.

ENDS

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