Albinism Information
Albinism is a medical decease characterized by a deficiency of hair and
skin pigmentation. This congenital disorder is caused by an insufficiency of a
copper containing enzyme, called tyrosinase. This enzyme is involved in the
production of melanin, the dark brown pigment occurring in hair, skin, and
irises. As this medical condition results in a very light-colored complexion,
it makes albinism patients extremely susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer. In
addition, they often suffer from impaired vision and extreme sensitivity to
light. It is estimated that there are over 100,000 albinism patients in China.
About COA (Chinese
Organization for Albinism)
People afflicted by albinism tend to be a vulnerable group within any
society. They are often confronted with social and cultural challenges, as
their medical condition is often a source of ridicule, discrimination and
sometimes even violence. Due to ignorance and commonplace superstition, their
living conditions are especially difficult in China: They are often abandoned
as newborns, refused by educational institutions and suffer from employment
discrimination. In light of this situation, it is very important to provide the
necessary information, medical aids and mental support for albinos and their
families, as well as to make an effort to educate the Chinese society as a
whole about this medical condition.
The Chinese Organization for Albinism (COA) is a national, nonprofit
organization. It was founded in Xi’an, Shaanxi, in 2008 and has been officially
recognized by the Chinese government in 2011. The COA maintains contacts with
sister organizations in Australia, the United States and Canada since 2010 and
joined the Albinism World Alliance (AWA) in 2012. The COA is managed entirely by volunteers who are
directly affected by albinism themselves; The director and founding
father of the COA, Lu Guan, suffers from OCA1 albinism. Even though China has witnessed a rapid economic
growth, investments in social services are still rather limited. Consequently, the
COA has been primarily funded by contributions of its members and sponsored by
external non-profit organizations to realize specific projects, making, for
example, national albinism conferences possible.
Support to COA
COA needs your help to continue its
service to the albinism community.
If you or your organisation would like to sponsor COA’s ongoing non
profit work with people with albinism, please contact us.
COA says Thank!
The COA wishes to
acknowledge and thanks our very generous sponsors. We wouldn’t be able to
continue our work as an organisation wholly run by volunteers touched by
albinism.
Contact Us
Hotline: +86-400-998-2155
Tel: +86-29-81940112
Fax: +86-29-88640509
E-mail: info@albinism.org.cn
Web Site: www.albinism.org.cn
Web Site(English): eng.albinism.org.cn
Address: No.2 Xinyuan Road, Xi’an
City, China (Postcode:710082)
