Mom launches 'Face Off For Scleroderma' campaign

CHICAGO (FOX 32 WFLD)- She is the face of bravery. Yet, it was her face that Facebook denied.

Last month, the social media platform wouldn't allow a Highland Park mom to post a photo of herself without make-up.

Lisa Goodman-Helfand is a mother, a teacher and a wife. She also suffers from Scleroderma.

"I have written a blog "Comfortable in My Thick Skin" since November of 2014," she said.

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder that can cause red splotches on the skin, as well as hardening of the skin and internal organs.

It's estimated that about 300,000 Americans have Scleroderma.

To demonstrate the wide-ranging effects of the disease, Helfand got in touch with blogger, Chanel White, who's a 23-year-old with multiple organ failure from the disease.

"I said hey Chanel, what do you think about us putting our pictures next to each other because you look beautiful and healthy and me, not so much, especially not without make up on," Helfand said.

Once Helfand posted the photo on Facebook, and paid $20 dollars to boost her post, she received an automated response from the social media site that her ad was rejected.

"It was the first time I have ever publically shared a photo of myself without make up," she said.

Here's what the Facebook response said:

"We recommend that you avoid focusing on certain body parts as they may draw high negative feedback."

Despite the Facebook diss, Helfand didn't give up.

"I was very upset by the situation and I wrote a second article called 'Facebook Doesn't Like My Face,' I put it up with my same picture, I described what had happened to me and there was just this firestorm of outrage," she said.

Outrage that turned into support and action.

On Sunday, Helfand will leave the house for the first time without make-up to attend a campaign that she launched called "Face Off For Scleroderma."

The event takes place at "Larry Fink Memorial Park" in Highland Park from 3 to 4 p.m.