South Yorkshire family raise awareness of rare skin condition

A local family whose seven year old is believed to be the only person in South Yorkshire with a rare skin condition are helping raise awareness and challenge perceptions of beauty with a national exhibition.
By Molly Williams
Published 13th Mar 2019, 10:30 BST
Updated 13th Mar 2019, 10:33 BST
One of the photographs being used in the exhibitionOne of the photographs being used in the exhibition
One of the photographs being used in the exhibition

Geoff Noake and daughter Amy Helliwell, who lives in Dinnington, run a business in Eckington that is looking after the marketing and social media for the campaign.

Ms Helliwell’s son Max, aged seven, has Congenital Melanocytic Naevus, CMN, on his head and has to be regularly monitored in hospital.

Max Helliwell who has CMNMax Helliwell who has CMN
Max Helliwell who has CMN
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She said: “Not many people know about CMN so it’s an important campaign to support and raises awareness. It means a lot to me because of Max.

“It’s quite rare and can cause problems if it grows on the spinal cord and bones, which is why Max has regular check ups in hospital.

“The response to the exhibition on social media has been fantastic - I’m really proud to be working on it.”

The collection of photographs called ‘How Do You C Me Now?’ features 30 children and adults from across the world born with the rare skin condition which can be life-threatening in some cases.

A photograph that is used in the exhibitionA photograph that is used in the exhibition
A photograph that is used in the exhibition
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Photographer Brock Elbank took the pictures, and those photographed said they had never revealed their birthmarks publicly before.

It launches in London on Wednesday, March 13 at the Oxo Tower Wharf and will be open to the public until March 24.