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Growing up with alopecia universalis, Ashlyn struggled with the emotional and psychological impact of the disease. “It took me a long time to realize that being different is okay,” she says. Alopecia areata can negatively affect a person’s mental health, education, employment, relationships, and everyday life.

After attending conferences in the U.S., Karen, who lives with alopecia universalis, saw the need for more support in Canada. That need led to the development of the Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation (CANAAF). CANAAF helps Canadians living with alopecia areata by offering peer support groups, mentorship, community, and resources.

« Beaucoup de gens pensent que c’est un problème purement esthétique, notamment les compagnies d’assurance, mais la réalité, c’est que votre corps s’attaque à vos follicules pileux », explique Ashlyn, qui vit avec la pelade universelle, une affection auto-immune qui bouleverse sa vie. Découvrez l’histoire d’Ashlyn et comment la pelade affecte les personnes qui en sont atteintes.

“Whether you’ve got hair or no hair, you can be a mom, you can be a mental health worker, which I was. You can be a teacher, you can be a coach,” says Karen. Learn more about Karen's experience raising a daughter with alopecia universalis, a condition that they both live with.

Après avoir assisté à des conférences aux États-Unis, Karen, qui est atteinte de pelade universelle, a constaté qu’il était nécessaire de renforcer le soutien offert au Canada. C’est ce besoin qui a mené à la création de la Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation (CANAAF). La CANAAF vient en aide aux Canadien(ne)s qui vivent avec la pelade et leur propose des groupes de soutien par les pairs, du mentorat, une communauté et des ressources.

“A lot of people think it’s cosmetic, especially insurance companies, but inside your body is fighting your hair follicles,” says Ashlyn, who lives with alopecia universalis, a life-altering autoimmune condition. Learn more about Ashlyn’s story and how alopecia areata impacts those living with the condition.