The ‘Bare Your Birthmark’ campaign, launched by Caring Matters Now, is designed to increase visibility, spark conversation and celebrate confidence.
Through this campaign, we aim to:
While the heart of this campaign is rooted in raising awareness of Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (CMN), we also recognise that visible differences do not look the same for everyone.
‘Baring’ goes beyond birthmarks and can also include:
Alongside sharing real, lived experiences from our community to raise awareness of CMN, we want everyone affected by CMN and other visible differences to feel seen and included.
Every mark is valid. Every story matters. Everybody is welcome.
As we say: Love the Skin You Are In.
However it looks, whatever it holds, whoever you are.
On 12th April 2026, six remarkable women from the Caring Matters Now community took on the London Landmarks Half Marathon in a bold and deeply meaningful way to launch our ‘Bare Your Birthmark’ campaign.
While the team members originated from different parts of the country, they all shared the lived experience of having CMN across their backs. The women took on this challenge together, running in backless tops and shorts, choosing to bare their birthmarks and their confidence to thousands of people lining the streets of London.
For some of these women, this was the first time they had ever revealed their CMN publicly.
By baring their birthmarks during a major public event, our runners helped more people learn about CMN, why it matters, and how it shapes the lives of those who live with it.
Read more about the London Landmarks Half Marathon Challenge here.
To support the team as part of our #BareYourBirthmark campaign, please visit our fundraising page if you are able.
Jodi Whitehouse was one of the six runners and is the founder and CEO of Caring Matters Now. Jodi was born with extensive CMN covering her back and stomach, and throughout her childhood years, she had numerous surgeries, leaving significant scarring and large skin grafts alongside her birthmarks.
Jodi’s willingness to run publicly with her CMN, scars, and skin grafts visible embodies the very heart of this campaign.
Jodi shares how her story powerfully reinforces our message:
“Running isn’t just about raising awareness for me, this campaign is for every type of skin. Confidence doesn’t come from unmarked skin – it comes from owning the skin you’re in.”
We’re inviting others to get involved.
Why not take part in your own challenge, however big or small, and choose to “bare your visible difference” in support of CMN awareness.
You don’t need to run a half marathon to make a difference.
You simply need to stand in your story and let it be seen.
CMN is rare, visible, and often life changing. Awareness is essential, yet public understanding is low. “Bare Your Birthmark” gives us a powerful, authentic, human way to change that.
By raising visibility, we raise understanding.
By raising understanding, we raise support.
By raising support, we change lives.
Together, we can help everyone affected by CMN feel confident to say: I love the skin I am in.
