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Hair Loss News Archives
September 2006
Alopecia Areata slates awareness fundraiser today
A courageous Sparta pre-teen, optimistic
despite her rare skin disease, is the inspiration for a fundraiser this Thursday
evening.
The Mohawk House in Sparta will be host to a fundraiser in conjunction with Dr.
WIlliam and Mrs. Glennis Randazzo and the National Alopecia Areata
Foundation(NAAF).
The goal of the event is to raise funds for research and
awareness for the community. Their youngest child, Julie Randazzo, 12 years old
and a student at Sparta Middle School, suffers from this disease.
“Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune skin disease which results in the loss of hair
on the scalp and elsewhere on one’s body”, according to a NAAF fact sheet.
For some this hair loss is merely patches, for others it means total hair loss. It’s a highly unpredictable disease, as well.
Your hair can grow back, but it may
not, and if it does, it may fall out again. In the United States alone, over
five million people suffer from this disease. It can occur in men or women of
any age or race, but most often occurs during childhood. “With a child with
Alopecia Areata, you really have to be concerned with their psychological well
being and self confidence; not to lose them to depression,” says Glennis
Randazzo.
There is no cure for this disease, nor is there an FDA approved treatment for
it. Julie Randazzo was diagnosed two years ago by her father, Dr. Randazzo, a
pediatrician. At first she had just patches missing.
The Randazzo’s took her to
Columbia University and Hackensack University Medical Centers for a variety of
treatments- from injections of steroids in her scalp to topical and oral
steroids. Unable to tolerate any more, Julie decided to stop the treatments. In
the last six months, she has suffered complete hair loss.
According to Glennis Randazzo, “She tried to hide it from her teachers and
friends at first, covered it up with hats and such, but people began to notice
and talk about it. Finally, Julie was ready to tell everyone. We sent out a
letter to teachers and students, and the response has been wonderful.
For ticket information, call the Mohawk House at 729-6464.