In the Bay Area, an inspiring young girl is working to combat the stigma associated with alopecia and to raise funds for research into a cure for the condition. September is recognized as Alopecia Awareness Month, highlighting the autoimmune disease that is most commonly known for causing hair loss.
Eleven-year-old Brynn Borisoff, a middle school student and cross-country runner, is drawing strength from an upcoming walk aimed at raising awareness and support for alopecia. “I want to meet others with alopecia and give back to the community that supported me during my journey,” she expressed.
Diagnosed with alopecia areata at the age of 8, Brynn experienced hair loss that began as a bald spot on her head and later extended to the back of her head. “I felt lonely because I didn’t know anyone else with alopecia,” she recalled. Her parents sought medical help, and she received steroid injections to treat the affected areas. Although most of her hair has grown back, there is still no cure for the disease, and the emotional impact lingers.
Brynn’s experience is not uncommon, as many individuals with alopecia, especially those who lose all their hair, face significant psychological and social challenges. Nicole Friedland, director of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), explains that the condition can cause deep emotional pain, as it affects how people see themselves in the mirror.
NAAF is dedicated to funding research and providing emotional support to the alopecia community. The organization is preparing for its Walk for Alopecia fundraiser at the end of September, which also aims to increase public awareness about the disease. Friedland noted that increased awareness can reduce stigma and bullying.
The foundation gained unexpected attention when a joke about alopecia was made at the 2022 Academy Awards. While condemning the violence that followed, NAAF used the moment to educate the public about the seriousness of the condition. “We believe it has raised awareness, which helps those living with alopecia,” Friedland said.
Brynn has turned her personal struggles into a positive force by becoming a NAAF Youth Ambassador. She advocated for legislation in Congress to include wig costs for cancer and alopecia patients under health insurance. “This bill would help many who can’t afford wigs,” she said.
Helping her community has also helped Brynn regain her confidence. Her father, Shawn Borisoff, described how she transformed from feeling sad to finding a supportive community and rediscovering her self-assurance.
Brynn continues to hope for a cure, but even if her hair loss returns, she is now equipped with the confidence to face it. The Walk for Alopecia is scheduled for September 28 at the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.