The National Alopecia Areata Foundation
July 4, 2008 | By admin
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) has one thing on its mind: hair loss. The NAAF focuses exclusively on one type of hair loss, alopecia areata, and provides various support for both sufferers of alopecia areata and those who are seeking to cure and treat the disease.
What is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia Areata is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss. Two in a hundred people suffer from alopecia areata and it can affect anyone – men, women, and children are all susceptible. Hair loss is sudden and can occur literally overnight, appearing in oval, circular or irregularly shaped bald patches on the scalp.
You can learn more about presentation, diagnosis, and treatment at the American Hair Loss Association’s Alopecia Areata page.
What is the NAAF?
The NAAF is a non-profit organization that is led by an all-volunteer board of directors and a scientific advisory council. The NAAF was founded in 1981 and is the biggest and most influential foundation that works on behalf of researchers and hair loss sufferers who deal with alopecia areata.
The organization’s mission is clearly stated on their website, which you can visit at www.naaf.org:
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) supports research to find a cure or acceptable treatment for alopecia areata, supports those with the disease, and educates the public about alopecia areata. The mission is accomplished by:
• Funding research and research workshops that add to the scientific knowledge about alopecia areata, its causes, and different treatments.
• Providing local support and education for people with alopecia areata and their families.
• Informing the public about alopecia areata.
• Advocating the concerns of people affected alopecia areata.
• Creating and distributing educational materials to health professionals as well as those affected, so that all may better understand alopecia areata.
Support
The NAAF has established support groups all across the globe, as well as an extensive support network. The support is provided to individuals with alopecia areata as well as their families and friends. You can learn more by visiting the NAAF’s support page.
The extensive support network offers a pen pal program, online message boards, telephone contacts, and several other ways that people who are dealing with alopecia areata can connect, share information, and provide support. The NAAF website has a network page you can visit to get more information about joining a network.
Getting Help
Dealing with alopecia areata is trying and can be quite devastating. The NAAF works toward finding a cure and viable treatments while providing much-needed support for those who have been affected by this disease. If you or someone you love is suffering from alopecia areata, get in touch with the NAAF and find out how they can help you.
Also remember to check with The American Hair Loss Association before you purchase any product or treatment to treat your hair loss.
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