BUTTERFLIES: Tracie and Bailey Pretak of Wilcox are continuing the Butterfly Concert Tour –– this time traveling to Pittsburgh on May 12 at the Riverview United Presbyterian Church
, 3505 Perrysville Ave.

The Release the Butterfly Tour was created by the Pretaks in 2014 with the mission of educating people about ichthyosis, inspiring others with their personal story of hope, connecting with other ichthyosis families across the country and raising funds for FIRST.

“Our concert will feature several local performers and a traveling team of professional vocalists, musicians and dancers,” stated a release about the event. “We will also do our audience-favorite, the inspiring and educational ‘Behind the Butterflies’ Q&A segment, to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it is like to grow up ‘different’ with the rare, genetic skin disorder called ichthyosis.
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The program will include inspirational songs from multiple genres, and will share an incredible journey from insecurity to confidence through powerful music and lyrics.

“The Release the Butterfly Tour has been traveling throughout the country sharing our ‘sweet message of hope and strength’ through music and dance,” a release states. “Our mission is to promote awareness about ichthyosis, and to raise funds for FIRST (Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types), the world leader in ichthyosis support, advocacy and research grants.”

A love offering will be taken for FIRST. Copies of the “Release the Butterfly” compilation CD will also be available for purchase.

The tour has made stops in Mechanicsburg; Lancaster; Johnsonburg; San Diego, Calif., Wantagh, N.Y.; and Providence, R.I.

And Bailey has made headlines in the past.

According to Bailey, a journalist with Caters News Agency contacted her in December 2016 because he wanted to write an awareness article on ichthyosis.

“It was a risk worth taking,” Bailey stated. She explained that the story was released on Jan. 31, “and immediately four sites in the United Kingdom picked it up: The Mirror, The Sun, Daily Mail UK, and Metro. Then, Allure magazine shared it on their website.”

She said the story was even picked up by Yahoo news. We love the headline Yahoo used, which succinctly told her story as so: “Stunning Women with a Skin Condition is Redefining What It Means to Be a Beauty Queen.”

Learn more about FIRST at www.firstskinfoundation.org.