2023 Conference – Save the Date!

Join us for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation’s 38th Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado,  Friday, June 30 to Sunday, July 2, 2023, with check-in beginning on Thursday, June 29. Watch our social media and our website for registration information in early 2023.

We can’t wait to see you there!

New December Webinar

Don't miss our next webinar, "Hanging with Our Young Alopecians," presented by Georgia Van Cuylenburg. Wednesday, December 7, at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET.

Alopecians are superheroes and Georgia Van Cuylenburg believes our young Alopecians are the ELITE SQUAD! In this month’s webinar, we invite you to join a panel of young Alopecians in a safe and supportive space where we can talk about what it’s like to be a young person with alopecia areata - the good, not so good and the in between. Yes, this is an hour for our youngens’ but we invite parents and folks of all ages to join us in experiencing and celebrating our Elite Squad's tenacity, wisdom, and magic!

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yel4W8kVSx-LwojT6_ZOMg

This webinar will be recorded; registrants will receive a link to the recording via email.

This webinar is part of NAAF’s You Are Not Alone: Education and Empowerment Webinar Series. NAAF gratefully acknowledges support for this webinar series from Eli Lilly and Company.

A True Youth Mentor Story

NAAF’s Youth Mentor Program connects children ages 5-18 living with alopecia areata and their parents to Youth Mentors, young people who themselves have alopecia areata and wish to help others. There is no fee to enroll in this program that is supported by donations from our community. To find a Youth Mentor for your child, or to become a Youth Mentor yourself, please reach out to support@naaf.org.  

Eight-year-old Caroline was diagnosed with alopecia areata in October 2020. By December of that same year, she had received her first wig and would only go to school if she was wearing it. By January of 2021, she had lost all her hair. It was a difficult transition for Caroline, but all that changed the summer of 2021 when she met Maggie, her new youth mentor. 

NAAF wishes to thank Eli Lilly and Company for their generous support of the Youth Mentor program. 

Legislative Mentors Are the Future of Advocacy

Just because you’re not yet voting age doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference!  Read about Joshua’s experience and reach out to gary@naag.org if you’d like to learn more about NAAF’s Legislative Mentor program.  

My name is Joshua. I’m a high school junior (17 years old) and live in Needham, MA. I have an interest and background in policy, government, politics, and law. This past spring, my younger sister, Samantha (11 years old), was diagnosed with alopecia areata.  Given the situation, as well as my interests and passions, I wanted to find a way to use my skills to learn and affect change in my community.

Recent Survey Study Results

When you participate in a survey that comes to you in a NAAF email, what happens to your responses?  For most surveys, the academic researchers conducting the study will analyze the responses received and publish the results. Lara Drake, from the Mostaghimi Lab at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, shared highlights from two recent surveys.

Meet NAAF’s Medical Student Fellow,
 Abigail Martinez

Abby Martinez and Nicole Friedland, NAAF CEO, at the PeDRA Meeting in Maryland.

Abigail Martinez joined the team as NAAF’s inaugural Medical Student Fellow in June. Abby attends medical school at Albany Medical College in Albany, NY. This year, she is completing a research year at the University of Washington—Seattle Department of Dermatology. Abby was born and raised in Miami, Florida to Cuban parents, and speaks English and Spanish. 

Molly Tuttle Nominated for Two Grammys

NAAF congratulates our good friend Molly Tuttle on her Grammy nomination for Best New Artist of 2022. Of course, Molly is not new to the NAAF community as she has performed at several of our patient conferences and has found time in her busy schedule to be there for others with alopecia areata.  Molly is also nominated in the Best Bluegrass Album category, for her album Crooked Tree, recorded with the band Golden Highway. Join us in wishing her good luck when the Grammys are announced February 5.

Donate Now and Change a Life Forever!

As you consider your year-end giving and philanthropy, we so appreciate you thinking of NAAF with your tax deductible contributions.  Your support will help us cover expanded research opportunities, increase support to our community and educate the public about alopecia areata.   Make a life-changing gift today! 

Best wishes this holiday to you and your family,

Gary Sherwood
Communications Director

P.S. If you’d like information about making a stock donation, please contact sherrie@naaf.org.