Alopecia Areata Flash Mob in NYC.In Times Square. Raising awareness is its own important form of advocacy The battle to find a safe, effective, and affordable treatment and a cure for alopecia areata isn’t only being waged by Legislative Liaisons and Legislative Mentors on Capitol Hill and researchers in laboratories. It’s fought every day by ordinary people who have alopecia areata themselves or know someone who does. Through awareness efforts, some of which also have a fundraising component, folks just like you educate our communities about alopecia areata and help the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) continue to fund legislative advocacy and groundbreaking research that will one day end this disease. Time and again, we see that when people learn about alopecia areata they want to help. Therefore we encourage alopecia areata awareness, so our friends, families, coworkers, classmates and neighbors can understand the condition better. It could be as simple as wearing a NAAF awareness bracelet, or showing a video about alopecia areata to your child’s classroom. Or as big as a public service announcement on the Jumbotron at the Indy 500. Alopecia Areata Awareness Month Although we encourage awareness year-round, during Alopecia Areata Awareness Month of September we hold awareness events with major and minor league baseball teams across the U.S. and Canada as part of our Team Up program. Aside from providing a good time at the ball park, these special games involve: On-field ceremonies First pitches Scoreboard messages Public service announcements, and Information booths where game attendees can learn about alopecia areata. Fundraisers increase both awareness and the means necessary to fight the disease. Plus, they are really fun! As a former NAAF board chair once said, “Do what you like and do it for NAAF.” Like to bake? Hold a bake sale. Like to golf? Hold a golf tournament. Like to run or walk? Hold a 5K. In just the last few years, we’ve even had individual fundraisers compete in Iron Man tournaments and swim San Francisco’s Golden Gate. Our larger fundraising events have ranged from exclusive soirees at New York’s hippest clubs to group motorcycle rides through the back roads of Wisconsin. And let’s not forget that tried and true favorite, the kids’ lemonade stand! The only limit has been the fundraisers’ imaginations. Just think about something you or, better yet, your friends and family all like to do, and give us a call. We’ll be happy to discuss the details and promote your event through our website calendar, targeted email blasts our social network channels. By participating in awareness and fundraising, you join the fight to bring an end to alopecia areata.
