Welcome to 2019!

The AAAF team is so excited about the coming year and looking forward to sharing it with our wonderful community. We have some really amazing new programs and projects in the works.

As you may remember, for the last few years, AAAF has run a theme which unites our programs and focuses our vision. In 2019, we’re going to be doing this again, but adding something a little new.

Instead of finishing up our 2018 #HealthyAlopecia campaign, we’re bringing this theme with us into 2019. We’re reigniting our 2017 #EmbraceAlopecia campaign and adding in a special focus on #WinningAlopecia.

“Why so many themes and campaigns, AAAF?” you may ask. The thing is, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to alopecia. Living with this condition is all about finding out what works for you, how you can feel most supporting and what tools you need. So we’re moving away from having one campaign to fit everything too.

Our focus is still the same. #HealthyAlopecia seeks to challenge the stigma around hair loss, and to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of our community. #EmbraceAlopecia seeks to help everybody living with this condition find confidence, comfort and acceptance in how they choose to live with their condition. And #WinningAlopecia is all about celebrating our successes and never letting alopecia hold us back.

With that in mind, we wanted to start the year off right by celebrating some of the little wins in our community recently.

Mel’s Disney Adventure

“I wanted to share some photos of my recent holiday. I spent a week enjoying all the rides at Disney world and not once did my suction wig move. There were lots of rides that the staff said to take off mickey ears, but knew that my wig wouldn’t move which was nice to not to have to worry.

I also found that I didn’t need to wear a beanie because my wig kept my head cold in the Canadian snow! I hope this inspires those new on the alopecia journey that you can still enjoy all the fun things in life!”

Davina’s Amazing Lotus Pattern

“Hello all my fellow Baldies. I wanted to get my hair done for a special event and I thought what could I do? So I did what I could with what I’ve got! What do you think? ????

I’m launching my first book on Sunday. I have had some positive feedback from people already who have said that the stories have helped them which is all I could ask for really. The biggest chapter in the book was my alopecia chapter. I’m just happy that my stories can help others.”

Bella’s Big Leap

Little Bella is 7, and enjoying her summer holidays the way so many kids do – taking a big leap into the water to cool off. How amazing to be able to do this with her wig on and not worry about it. “She called it a stick on wig because she can do anything with it on and it doesn’t fall off.”

Jessica’s 12-month Reflection

“It was 12 months ago exactly I did my first close shave.. shaved again one week later as I had a little shadow to never shave again.

I now look back and realise I made the right decision, I have been able to live the last 12 months and tried not to let alopecia hold me back. 2019 is my year, nothing will hold me back, especially not my alopecia. I opened my year with no wig and New Years Day marks 12 months since I had to shave my head.

It’s not about the big wins, but in fact, the little ones that make the year, and for once I’m excited to show myself what I can achieve in the next 12 month’s. It’s only up from here.”