Cambridge, UK

The most amazing dinner at Corpus Christi College. Cambridge. Hosted
by Dr. Petrus de Vries!!! So Hogwarts!

Originally uploaded by Positive Exposure

Heading to LA from the ISONG conference in San Diego!

Great conference, next stop Honolulu for the ASHG high school
workshop! Next blog with pics from Cambridge UK exhibit and lecture
SSBP!

Originally uploaded by Positive Exposure

Watch 20/20 Special on Albinism and Tanzania – Tonight 10pm ET

Read a description of tonight’s episode.

ABC also has a lot of great resources posted on the web.

Overcoming the Social Stigma of Albinism – a 10-year-old African American twin with albinism

Fighting the Stigma of Albinism – Stereotypes Prompt a New Push to Empower People Traditionally Known as Albinos – Interview with Rick

There are also videos featuring a stand-up comic with albinism and more.

ABC kindly listed Positive Exposure on their How to Help Tanzanians with Albinism page.

So tune in tonight!

NYC Walk for Kids with Craniofacial Difference, Oct. 18

We just found out about a great opportunity to get some exercise and promote awareness for children with craniofacial conditions.

If you’re in the NYC area, join Forward Face and the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction in a 2-mile walk to fund educational outreach, including school programs across the country.

Even if you can’t make it to the walk, you can still support people with craniofacial difference by donating to those who are walking.

For more information, including directions, see http://www.firstgiving.com/forwardface.

Mayo Clinic exhibit, 9/11/09

Lecture scheduled for Saturday 9/12 @8:40, Dermatology O’Leary
Symposium. Cool!

Originally uploaded by Positive Exposure

Mayo Clinic exhibition 9/11/09

Originally uploaded by Positive Exposure

Tanzanian Trials of Accused Killers…A Sincere Effort?

PE partner Under the Same Sun has posted some recent news articles mentioning founder Peter Ash’s efforts to keep the international spotlight trained on the justice process in Tanzania.

One of the articles, from Canada’s National Post, has this quote from BBC journalist Vicky Ntetema, who questions whether the entire investigation into the killings of people with albinism was ever undertaken in good faith:

“In Tanzania, there have been no convictions despite a string of arrests that included several police officers.

Local journalist Vicky Ntetema said many Tanzanians believe this is because the witch doctors are protected by members of the government and police.

‘This is the general feeling,’ she said. ‘The public is saying if you started the trial, it means you knew you had sufficient funds to complete the whole trial.’”

Mr. Ash and his organization are working tirelessly to keep the atrocities in the headlines, rather than slipping into yesterday’s news. Sign the petition and check out their site for many more articles and videos about the injustices being suffered by people with albinism in the area.

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THE NATIONAL POST interviews PETER ASH about Tanzanian Courts’ decision to end trials of murderers of people with albinism due to “lack of funds”.
Read article

News agency REUTERS cites PETER ASH’S response re: Tanzanian Court decision to drop cases against those charged with murders of albinos.
Read article

SALIF KEITA and PETER ASH:  “Two Incredible Human Beings” –Global Diversity Post
Read article

Update: Tanzanian Courts Abandon Prosecution

An update on the threat to people with albinism in Tanzania from our partner organization, Under the Same Sun-

Vancouver BC, Canada – August 6, 2009:
“As the slaughter of albinos continues, promises from Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda that the killers would be brought to justice swiftly have not yet been fulfilled. Now the Kahama and Shinyanga High Courts which have been holding trials for 4 of the suspected killers of victims with albinism say they have run out of funds. THESE TRIALS HAVE NOW BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. “

Download the full press release (pdf).

If you haven’t already, sign the Under the Same Sun petition in support of people living with albinism in Africa, or pass it on to your friends.

From the CFC Conference

Here’s a wonderful letter along with some photos from the Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous Conference.

Dear Rick,

We’ve met at the last 2 cfc conferences I’ve attended. i didn’t really get to tell you all the wonderful things that I think about you and your work, because if I did I would’ve started crying:) . My daughter has CFC. Your presentation was by far my favorite one, you give me hope inhumanity! Keep up the good work, friend and I hope it pays off tremendously for you! I saw the article in People Magazine awhile back and I loved it! I was happy to say I’ve met you:)

I wanted to share a couple of pics I got with you of Meg and Jack. I found it interesting how i never get really good smiles from the kids, but as soon as they stood with you they laughed and smiled. You make it look effortless!:) God Bless you and best wishes!

-Sherri
Thanks again for caring!

Public Radio International: Africa’s albinos seek their place in the sun

The next installment in journalist Phillip Martin’s series on albinism in Africa focuses on the killings of people with this genetic condition that have occurred in Tanzania, Burundi, and Kenya.

For those of you that have been following the progress of the trials in Burundi and Tanzania, justice has been slow: nine people have been convicted in Burundi but in Tanzania trials for the hundreds of people arrested have not resulted in any convictions, with some trials suspended due to lack of funds.

It’s important to remember that even with the arrests and international attention on the issue, there were four killings last month, one of them a 4 year old boy.

Martin quotes Rick on the relationship between the region’s faltering economy and the killings:

“[Guidotti] said that in the area of Ruyigi, Burundi, for instance, the average yearly salary is $10.

‘So when there’s an opportunity to feed 10 children when you bring the bones of one child with albinism, it’s greed but it’s also survival,” said Guidotti. “And it’s only going to get worse until people stand up and start prosecuting those that are suspected of these horrifying crimes.’”

Read the rest of the article here.