Annie was a spunky, active and adventurous child. She enjoyed dance, school, playing with friends and hanging out with her family. At the age of 10, Annie began to experience hair loss. Annie was diagnosed with alopecia areata.

With her mother’s support and help, Annie worked hard to hide her hair loss, she would wear head bands and part her hair in different directions to cover up the bald spots.

Her hair loss became more and more noticeable, friends at school were becoming aware of it, negatively impacting Annie’s self-confidence. That is when they made the decision to apply for a hairpiece from Wigs For Kids. Annie and her family quickly realized that they were not only getting a hairpiece – they were becoming part of a community that understood what she was experiencing.

Annie shared that with the support of Wigs For Kids she had the confidence to dance, be a cheerleader, water ski, and have the most amazing sleepovers with her friends. She felt as if she could be a “regular kid.”

Jeffrey Paul, founder of Wigs For Kids, enlisted Annie to serve as a spokesperson at the young age of 12. Annie attended conferences and fundraisers sharing her story and the importance of having the support of a community.

Throughout Annie’s childhood and teen years, she did face challenges – concerned about her hair loss, questioning if her peers would be accepting, and how it would impact her into the future. But these feelings were met with the belief that beauty comes from within, and Annie was Annie whether she had hair or not. She was still the girl that wanted to participate in school and extra-curricular activities, hang out with friends, go to college and someday have a family of her own.

While in high school Annie met the man of her dreams, Luke. He accepted Annie for the person she was. He was always there to support her and helped reassure Annie of her beauty with or without hair.

Annie went on to college studying marketing and advertising. After graduation she and Luke got married and settled into their lives, both building their careers. Annie continued her involvement with Wigs For Kids serving on the Board of Directors.

Annie also became very comfortable to be out and about with or without hair. She has the confidence and acceptance to realize that her hair does not define who she is.

Today, Annie is the proud mother of two children, Isabelle and John. Annie will instill in them the confidence and self-acceptance that she gained as a child experiencing hair loss.

Annie continues to be involved with the Wigs For Kids community serving as an advisor and providing support to children living with hair loss.

Annie’s words of advice to children dealing with hair loss, “Getting involved with Wigs For Kids and sharing my story with others not only has helped others but gave me a sense of purpose in my hair loss. I can’t encourage other kids who are dealing with hair loss enough to get involved with Wigs For Kids. Having a community to help grieve the loss of hair and encourage each other to thrive with or without hair is what is truly invaluable.”

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