Please find below the fifth issue of our new monthly advocacy newsletter, the AAdvocate. Each month we’ll share news about our growing advocacy efforts and recognize individuals who are coming into their own as NAAF advocates. We welcome and encourage your feedback-tell us what you like, would like included, or whatever’s on your mind. Please direct all comments to me, Lisa Butler, at lisa@naaf.org or 415-472-3780. Many thanks for helping to make a difference.

1. Your Voices Have Been Heard!
   
   Over 2,000 petitions have been received at the NAAF office, surpassing the set goal in our continued federal campaign to improve insurance coverage for the cost hair prosthesis for individuals with alopecia areata. In the last issue of the AAdvocate, you were asked to act, and your response was impressive! Thank you to those of you who went out and received the support of family, friends, neighbors and your community.
   
   On Monday, December 11, 2007, NAAF staff will be meeting with key members of Congress on the federal campaign to improve insurance coverage, and your petitions will add a strong show of nation-wide support for the creation of this legislation.
   
   
2. State of Massachusetts; Senate Hearing Update
   On November 14, 2007, a hearing was held for Massachusetts State Senate Legislative Bill No. 648, “An Act Providing Health Insurance Coverage for Scalp Hair Prostheses”. The Bill was written to allow scalp prostheses for patients with alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis to be covered under their health insurance plan.
   
   The day at the State House of Massachusetts was impressive to say the least. A special thank you to those who gave oral testimony including Dr. Lynne Goldberg, Patrick Humphries, Susie Flug, Danielle Olivero and Anar Shar, as well as all of the supporters who attended the hearing.  Though the difficult part is over, now the waiting phase begins. After the Executive Committee meets to discuss Bill No. 648 and the oral and written testimony they received in support of the Bill, they will make some important decisions as to the future of this Bill; next steps won’t be determined until this vital decision is made. Thank you again to Chrissa Kaselis who led this effort. It’s amazing what a volunteer with a lot of passion can accomplish! We will keep NAAF’s advocacy community updated on this important legislation.
   
   
3. NAAF Recognized for Efforts on Capitol Hill
   
   The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) just announced that NAAF was awarded a Gold Triangle Award for its Alopecia Areata Awareness Day on the Hill. During the 22nd Annual National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) Patient Conference,
   over 600 children, women and men affected by alopecia areata participated in Alopecia Areata Awareness Day on the Hill. The all-day event took families to meet with their Members of Congress with specific requests regarding alopecia areata awareness and the National Alopecia Areata Registry.
   
   The Gold Triangle Award recognizes winners in the media, industry, health community, and public service, as well as individual effort for excellence in promoting dermatologic awareness and encouraging healthy behavior in the care of skin, hair and nails. NAAF will be presented this award in a ceremony in San Antonio, TX.
   
   
4. AAdvocate Inspiration!
   
   One of the younger advocates from NAAF’s Alopecia Areata Awareness Day on the Hill used the experiences and strength accumulated at the NAAF Conference to create a personal mission; to continue educating her peers, classmates, family and community about alopecia areata and let them know the impact the diagnosis of three years ago has had on her life. Thirteen year old Anna Wade of Sebastopol, CA decided that an effective way to do this would be to talk about it, in front of the entire student body at her junior high school! This kind of courage by a young person is rare and inspiring and therefore needed to be shared with all of our advocates. Anna’s presentation in front of her classmates, strangers, teachers and administrators is viewable on You-Tube, simply copy and paste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS62bXpbB8Y as a web address (the direct link does not work). For optimum viewing, please once the video is on the screen, please click the window in the lower right hand corner to enlarge the picture.
    
   As Anna’s friend Charlie Villanueva says, you have alopecia areata, alopecia areata doesn’t have you. Thank you for reminding us of this, Anna, and inspiring advocates of all ages to do the same.