A Memorial University medical student is gaining recognition for his work researching and advocating for people diagnosed with vitiligo.

The auto-immune disease causes the body to attack melanin in the skin, resulting in patches of discolouration.

While it affects patients of all skin tones, it’s most noticeable in those with darker skin and affects about 1.5 to 2 per cent of the worldwide population.

Because vitiligo is an auto-immune disease, patients can also be affected by other auto-immune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis.

Parsa Abdi, a third-year med student at Memorial, was born in Iran but has lived in St. John’s most of his life. He became interested in dermatology, and vitiligo in particular when his sister was diagnosed.

While not life-threatening, the disease can have a very dramatic psychological impact on a person’s self-confidence, and his aim is to raise awareness through Vitiligo Voices Canada which he co-founded.

“Here in Newfoundland, especially in rural parts of Newfoundland, there may be kids, there may be adults that grow up that don’t get the support that they need, and they may get misinformation online, or from others. It’s so important for people to get connected and to learn the resources, and have a supportive group where they can talk about this.”

Abdi was recently recognized with a Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award for his work and advocacy.