Bald Group to Guys: Make room. In 2009 the 'Bald is Beautiful' Club has Women, Too

Bald Group to Guys: Make room. In 2009 the 'Bald is Beautiful' Club has Women, Too

SCARBOROUGH, N.Y., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- No hair? No problem. So say Mary Marshall of San Diego and Mary Ecker of Long Beach - California members of Bald Girls Do Lunch - the national nonprofit for women with alopecia areata, an autoimmune hair loss disease. While many choose to wear wigs, an increasing number of women are embracing the bald look.

(LOGO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080313/NYTH002LOGO )

In San Diego (January 3) and Irvine, California (January 4) women with alopecia areata are meeting with the group's founder, Thea Chassin. The uplifting Bald Girls events create a special bond for women of all ages, many of whom have never met anyone else with the same condition.

"Family and friends mean well, but no one truly understands the social challenges as well as another woman," says Chassin. The overall goals of the organization are promoting individual choice and normal living. The California lunches include a make-up demonstration and head-wear swap. Visit www.baldgirlsdolunch.org for invitation.

BGDL is gaining momentum nationwide and has met in 31 cities and 16 states with San Francisco on the schedule for March 6-8, 2009. Meeting in public helps counter the belief that every bald woman is getting chemotherapy, Chassin believes.

Mary Marshall, a folk dance instructor and drummer lost her hair, eyebrows and eyelashes within the past year. "It's a shock to see your appearance change, but it's also an opportunity to redefine your self. I'm determined to lead an active life and show that I'm still the same person I always was. Head wraps and bald suit me best. Thea's program in California last year put me on the road to self-acceptance quickly."

Mary Ecker, too, feels strikingly feminine since losing all her hair ten years ago. "It's strengthening and validating to share fellowship, hope and creative ways to manage alopecia. I'm lucky to have become involved with Bald Girls Do Lunch. I wear a variety of wigs or the bald look depending on the situation."

Advance reservations for the California lunches are required by emailing RSVP@ baldgirlsdolunch.org or using the donate button at www.baldgirlsdolunch.org. Cost is $40 pp and includes a $20 donation to the nonprofit, a 501c3 public charity. Lunch attendees must be 18 or over.

Alopecia areata affects men, women and children of all ages - approximately 5 million people in the US. Characterized by smooth, round bald patches, it can progress to complete hair loss including body hair. The unpredictable condition can appear at any age and research suggests a genetic predisposition.

Chassin created Bald Girls Do Lunch when she saw that women crave fun and stimulating chats over coffee or lunch to share information rather than meeting in more sterile surroundings. She credits the positive, women-only format for conquering feelings of aloneness.

For more information about how to donate or volunteer for Bald Girls Do Lunch, learn about alopecia areata or to attend events, visit www.baldgirlsdolunch.org

CONTACT: Bad Girl's Do Lunch, +1- 914-584-7662, PR@baldgirlsdolunch.org

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080313/NYTH002LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Bald Girls Do Lunch, Inc.

CONTACT: Bad Girl's Do Lunch, Inc., +1-914-584-7662,
PR@baldgirlsdolunch.org

Web Site: http://www.baldgirlsdolunch.org/

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