Alicia Roufs of VITFriends sits down with Eric Peacock, co-founder and CEO of MyHealthTeams.

Launching MyVitiligoTeam, the social network for people facing vitiligo, is both a professional and personal milestone for Eric Peacock, co-founder and CEO of MyHealthTeams. Alicia Roufs, marketing director of VITFriends, sat down with him to learn more about the community, the company and the vision. Watch their conversation in full or jump to the topics that most interest you.

0:00 - 3:11
What is MyVitiligoTeam?
One in 100 people lives with vitiligo, yet the experience can feel isolating. MyVitiligoTeam makes it easy to connect with others and learn from their experiences. Eric shares background on the idea behind the social network, the 34th condition-specific community MyHealthTeams has launched.

3:20 - 6:16
How is this different from Facebook?
MyVitiligoTeam is designed specifically for people living with vitiligo - everyone here is diagnosed with (or is a parent to or a spouse of someone diagnosed with) the condition. This means the conversations are super relevant. And they are private. Our social network is a judgment-free zone where everyone “gets it” because they’re experiencing similar challenges.

6:18 - 7:39
Can I get medical advice here?
No. MyVitiligoTeam is a place to share your personal experience and learn from others. Gain insight into what’s working for people like you - practical tips, lifehacks, emotional support. Tap into resources about types of vitiligo, common symptoms, treatment options and more. For personalized medical advice, talk with your doctor.

7:43 - 8:40
Will my information be shared anywhere?
Other members of MyVitiligoTeam can see and engage with your posts and your profile. But they’re not available on the public internet, and MyHealthTeams will never share or sell your personally identifiable information.

8:43 - 10:21
How do you fund MyVitiligoTeam?
Our social networks are always free for members. MyHealthTeams partners with companies on research projects, clinical trials and educational materials. The two key criteria for any such partnership: First, is this empowering for our members? and second, can we be transparent with our members about it?

10:22 - 14:16
How does MyVitiligoTeam work?
Meet others based on variables such as who you are, where you are, what symptoms you experience. Add people to your “Team.” Grow your community of people who share similar challenges. Learn from each other. Support each other. Know that this is a safe space. MyVitiligoTeam is a private social network based on trust and respect.

14:40 - 18:32
What do people do on MyVitiligoTeam?
It’s really about three things:

1. Connect with other people who have vitiligo
2. Get practical advice from each other
3. Learn from objective, unbiased, educational information

People form friendships quickly here, and there’s a lot of day-to-day emotional support happening within this community. We complement that with resources and articles that help you better understand vitiligo.

As MyVitiligoTeam grows in the coming weeks and months, we want your input on how to make this social network a valuable community and resource. Share your suggestions in the comments section below.