Hi, my name is Rebecca Stone, and this is the final update for the Gold Sponsorship Program with the Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation.

I was very fortunate to receive their sponsorship last year, and now I’ve reached the end of my sponsored year.

One of the highlights for me was racing in Western Australia at the Dwellingup 100-kilometer Mountain Bike World Championships, where I finished in the top third of my age group. Another big moment was competing in the Snowy Mountains with my family in the 5-day, 3-stage mountain bike race out of Jindabyne, which was a huge learning curve and an amazing experience for me.

Throughout my time in the sponsorship program, I’ve learned to better manage my condition, Alopecia Areata. I’ve also made it a point to raise awareness and explain the condition to others whenever possible.

I work with children, both in education and recently as a Girl Guide leader. I’m often asked about my condition, and I’m now able to answer those questions honestly and confidently. My family has also become more comfortable seeing me without a headscarf, which has been a big step for all of us.

The sponsorship program has given me so much confidence, and I’ve been able to achieve things I never thought possible. I’m now working full-time in roles I really enjoy and couldn’t be more grateful.

I’d like to thank everyone for their support throughout this program. I plan to continue training and racing on my mountain bike while promoting awareness for Alopecia Areata. I hope to inspire others to feel confident in asking questions and starting conversations about the condition.

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Rebecca was a part of our sponsorship program – you can also participate! Go here to learn more https://aaaf.org.au/sponsorship-program