Bald Girls Do Lunch

Insight to the “stress” question

Chassin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:39:43 +0000

While there’s no “one” answer to the question of the relationship between alopecia areata and stress and no experimental proof, dermatologist and researcher Dr. Maria Hordinsky of the University of Minnesota offers some hypotheses.

Dr. Horinsky answers the question: “Can stress cause the hair loss of alopecia?”

Wilshire sale ends August 29

Chassin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:58:29 +0000

Hidden away in accessories at wilshirewigs.com is a huge selection of wig tapes. Take 25% off entire order at ww with code “Summer Season”.

Wilshirewigs.com now has a handy face shape chart. Are you in the most flattering wig for your face?

Sports and fitness stories needed for radio show

Chassin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:41:25 +0000

ASAP: do you have any kind of sports-related alopecia story? Either your own experience, someone you know, or someone you’ve seen?

Your stories are needed this weekend, on or before Sunday, August 29th. Leave your info at 800.578.5332 or email to info@baldgirlsdolunch.org. Be sure to leave a call back number. You won’t be on air, but your story will be.

Thea will be talking about sports and alopecia on the ESPN public affairs radio show (”Beyond Sports”) from Chicago being recorded early next week.

Today’s genetic “lesson”

Chassin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:57:47 +0000

Gina’s Kolata’s NY Times article today is a timely “lesson” for the alopecia areata community. Genes are not stable. They change. They become inactive and they die. Genes are highly complex and unpredictable. All sorts of things happen that are not understood. For everyone, but especially for those who believe that the naming and locations of a few genes for alopecia areata is a slam dunk or straight line from point A to point B, please read here about the nature of genes in another disease. The same degree of uncertainties, mutating, life and death of genes applies to all diseases, including AA.

New from British Medical Journal

Chassin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:47:21 +0000

Clinical Review: Management of Alopecia Areata.
Published July 31, 2010

M J Harries, J Sun, R Paus, and L E King, Jr
Management of alopecia areata
BMJ 2010; 341: c3671

A comprehensive review of the treatments currently in use for treating alopecia areata, totalis and universalis.; referenced and offering statistical data on the efficacy of various approaches. Ask your doctor or medical librarian for a copy of this article. Discuss the findings with your dermatologist and decide together which if any of the treatments you might consider in an attempt for regrowth. Of particular interest are the relapse rates and the results of therapies used both alone and in combination with each other.

This article reminds that the biological agents (alefacept, efalizumab and etanercept) are not effective for alopecia areata patients. Those are the randomised controlled drug trials promoted as beacons of hope for patients with much fanfare over the past decade. BGDL advises a temperate wait and see approach to any clinical trial; not just for alopecias but for any disease. The results are not in until they’re in.

Tennis fans go bald…at the U.S.Open

Chassin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:32:31 +0000

It’s a Bald Girls and friends “Bald Out” evening at the U.S. Open August 31, 2010. Just drop us a line for the meet up spot. We’ll meet and greet before the matches begin.

It’s night. No sun. No visor. Feel the air!

Click to order tickets and see seating charts or visit ticketmaster.com. We follow the US Open inclement weather policy.

Where does 1.7% come from?

Chassin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:54:34 +0000

Accurate reporting about alopecia areata states a lifetime risk of 1.7%. It means that 1.7% of the population has a chance of having some form of AA at some time…it could have been a patch 50 years ago or it could be a patch 50 years from now. It does not mean that 1.7% of people living today currently have a form of alopecia areata. That’s why reports that 5 million Americans have alopecia areata are not correct.

Where does that statistic from from? From data gathered in Olmstead County, Minnesota. Here’s the journal reference from the Mayo Clinic:

Safavi KH, Muller SA, Suman VJ, Moshell AN, Melton LJ, 3rd. Incidence of alopecia areata in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1975 through 1989. Mayo Clin Proc 1995;70:628-33.

Wig Hair’s like ‘Hat’ Hair

Chassin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:00:28 +0000

Nobody likes the way their hair looks after being under a hat. Wigs are no exception. And hats over wigs, especially in cold weather are uncomfortable. We’re in the heat wave of summer, but it’s not too early to plan for the coldest days of winter.

If you live in or plan to visit the north you want to feel both toasty warm and chic. Consider the layered option of a luxurious and wide fur headband over your wig or over a flat knit cap. Pretty, versatile and can be worn as a neck warmer or a cap accessory. Big selection and big sales at fursource.com

The hairists and the power

Chassin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:52:46 +0000

It’s not very long ago that white men where called out in public as right wing skin heads for sporting a shaved head. Acceptance and equal rights for women lag behind but eventually catch up. Hard work and tenacity. So when the occasional report comes to the BGDL inbox that a woman has been told by her hairist boss “if you don’t wear a wig you’re going to scare away the customers” is this hair bias? Uninformed? Controlling? Legal? Out of sync with company rules and culture? In violation of the dress code?

And of course the admonition means: wear the wig or you lose your job. What’s a hairless girl on a steamy summer day to do? What’s just?

Has this happened to you? We’d like to hear your story.

Corporate Giving in support of BGDL

Chassin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:18:11 +0000

AT & T Employee Giving Campaign and United Way of Delaware are just two of the giving programs that authorize employee contributions to the Bald Girls Do Lunch nonprofit.

Talk to your employer this week. They’ll send our development office the paperwork. Very easy for everyone in your office to designate a tax deductible contribution to BGDL, a 501 c3 type public charity.

And don’t forget…we’re also approved by AmericanExpress.com/give

The choice is yours: charge it to your Amex Card, donate with rewards points, or even spread out a small recurring contribution throughout the year. AmericanExpress.com/give makes it easy. Thank you!

August 9 “Alopecia Options” for tri-state and beyond

Chassin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:39:18 +0000

Make it a day and join us at night. Yankee fans….did you know that our Wilkes-Barre, PA location is less than 30 minutes from the Yankee’s minor league team? And…pretty close to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs?

Our impromptu evening edition in Wilkes-Barre (open to friends and family, too) appeals to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania fans of BGDL. W-B is right up there in the northeast corner of PA.

So bring the family to BGDL or meet up with them later…..but don’t miss this chance to savor the new connections you’ll make.

You’re never alone, even if you feel that way sometimes

Chassin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 19:57:59 +0000

Take a look at women like you or like a woman you know, when BGDL starred on the Today Show. Share with friends. We provide online, in-person and web based support women need all year long.

Alopecia Awareness month…Here’s how!

Chassin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 18:28:11 +0000

BGDL is supplying our “Bald? So What!” and new “Bald is In” logos for your September 2010 awareness and fund raising campaigns. We put funds to work immediately for women and girls and leave the long road of research to others.

Be sure to include your postal address and we’ll send you the press kits, photos and brochures to show your supporters how and where BGDL works hard and gets results all year long.

Send request for info to: info@baldgirlsdolunch.org or call 800.578.5332

Premium Style..BGDL goes shopping!

Chassin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:32:13 +0000

Here’s the deal: We need hats, scarves and accessories….cool….premium….cutting edge, fashionable items to teach women and girls how to dress with style and confidence, hair or no hair.

Take a look at Beyond The Rack and use our special invitation code: http://www.beyondtherack.com/member/invite/B10BA4B5

Every purchase you make as our invitee sends credits to BGDL. With credits, we’re going Alopcia Style shopping! These La Fiorentina scarves are gorgeous for head wraps! NOTE: Scarf event ends in 2 days!

Or, buy one item for yourself and gift one to BGDL for our supplies. Our mailing address is
p o box 9122, Scarborough, NY 10510 Take a photo and show us what you’re sending.

Tell your friends. Let’s go shopping!

If you already have the BGDL GoodShop.com toolbar enabled with BGDL as your charity, an extra 3% goes into our fund raising account for shopping at Beyond the Rack.

fyi: We’re doing “Alopecia Style ™” at AlopeciaPalooza Camp Edition, August 21, Pennsylvania. Email for details: info@baldgirlsdolunch.org

Just added: Impromptu “Alopecia Options” Northeast PA

Chassin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:44:59 +0000

Monday, August 9, 2010

Marriott Courtyard, Wilkes-Barre/Scanton PA area
1796 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic, PA

7 PM in the American Cafe lounge

Cost: donation $15 pp.
Please email that you are coming so we can plan for make-up demo materials and your complimentary awareness t-shirt. Send your size in advance. Bring scissors to customize your shirt. Drinks will be available for purchase from the hotel.

Join Thea Chassin, BGDL president, in an informal setting of chat, education and “Alopecia Options ™” workshop. This gathering is designed as an informal learning opportunity and is open to everyone interested, including families.

To learn more contact 800.578.5332 or email info@baldgirlsdolunch.org

Rochester dinner was so much fun….

Chassin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:18:55 +0000

..Ej’s staff at the Rochester Airport Marriot were readying the tables for breakfast service all around us and we were still talking! Sherry taught the cotton t-shirt head wrap. Thea demo-ed the BGDL brow powder kit. Connections were made all ’round. Photos here.

Jennifer Gilbert son has alopecia

Chassin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:22:32 +0000

Gotta wonder…if it was last year before the now very public alopecia news about Miss Delaware, would Jennifer Gilbert (Real Housewives of NYC show) have tweeted about her son’s new alopecia diagnosis? Is alopecia crossing the boundary into ordinary conversation these days?

Space available! Rochester’s 7/29 ‘Alopecia Options’

Chassin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:27:40 +0000

Don’t wait till the last second to sign up for the Rochester dinner. Logistics matter to ensure that our table size is comfortable and conducive.

It’s magical to eat, share and connect with other women who all have some form of AA or a scarring alopecia.

Theme: “Alopecia Options” ……it’s all about you!

Follow us on Twitter

Chassin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:39:38 +0000

We’re @alopecia

Bald is in!

Chassin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:56:18 +0000

….for many guys and gals. But did you know there’s only ONE razor that’s been designed specifically to shave the head? Think about it…..you have a veritable museum of razors in your bathroom, but every one of them was designed to shave something flat: a face, a neck, a thigh, an underarm. Use referral code BGDL for 20% off your first purchase at headblade.com

You’ll get the best head shave ever in the quickest time with the headblade razor. Don’t let the little stragglers spoil your bald beauty.