Find A Youth Mentor

Hi, I’m Kelsey! I’m a junior at Saint Rose High School, and I grew up in different parts of New Jersey. I currently live in a tiny beach town called Mantoloking. I was diagnosed with alopecia at the age of 2, and my granda, uncle, and dad all have it as well. I am a triplet, but I’m the only only with alopecia. My journey with alopecia has been a rollercoaster. In 8th grade, I lost all the hair on my entire head. Over the years, my hair has grown back, fallen out again, and regrown several times. Since February, I’ve been taking the new FDA-approved medication, Litfulo. Support has been crucial throughout my life! At first, I tried to hide my hair loss, but with support, I’ve learned to embrace it, as it is what makes me, me! It’s important to have someone to turn to, and I want to be that person for others, offering hope to kids facing their own challenges! I’m passionate about helping others accept their alopecia and advocating for coverage of medication/wigs, as having options is essential. I have a lot of experience with wigs, fake eyelashes, and eyebrows, and I'm happy to offer help! My hobbies include babysitting, playing lacrosse, cheerleading, tennis, going to the beach, watching sunsets, baking, spending time with friends/family, shopping, crafting, traveling, and volunteering! I hope to bring smiles and laughter through my role as a mentor!

Ever since my alopecia journey began, I've encountered numerous challenges that have profoundly shaped my character and perspective on life. Diagnosed at a young age, the sudden and unpredictable hair loss brought about waves of insecurity and self-doubt. Navigating school and social interactions became a daily struggle as I contended with the physical and emotional toll of alopecia. Over time, I learned to embrace my unique appearance, fostering a sense of self-love and resilience. My determination to thrive despite these challenges empowered me to transform adversity into a source of strength. Inspired by my experiences, I sought to support others facing similar challenges. This led me to become a youth mentor, dedicated to guiding and empowering young individuals on their alopecia journeys. As a mentor, I want to share my story of overcoming insecurities, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and inner strength. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where mentees feel understood and encouraged. Through this role, I've want the privilege of witnessing the profound impact that empathy and shared experiences can have. Supporting another person through their alopecia journey has reinforced my belief in the power of community and connection. By offering guidance and reassurance, I hope to inspire confidence and resilience in those I mentor, helping them navigate their paths with courage and optimism. Together, let's transform our shared struggles into a source of empowerment, embracing our uniqueness and celebrating our strength.

Hello! I am Veda. Im a student at UC Berkeley studying Public Health and Ethnic Studies. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Universalis when I was about 8 years old and have been living with it ever since. I have experienced the most hair loss on my eyebrows and head. I recently lost all my hair in my first semester at Cal. Alopecia is a constant struggle and has impacted the way I view myself. My interests include makeup, fashion, tv shows, crocheting, and anything creative. Growing up, having a proper community around me helped me deal with my Alopecia, and I wish to be that support for others!

Hello! My name is CJ Moore and I am Junior at Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona. At school, I’m the team captain of the varsity basketball team, the President of IB Mentors (mentorship club for incoming honors underclassmen) and heavily involved in various other clubs. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata when I was 8 years old and became mostly bald for about the next 5 years going into COVID, then beginning to grow most of the hair back to what I have now. It was very overwhelming at times to always stand out in such a different way, but I was always able to find solace in some of my favorite hobbies like playing basketball, listening to music and watching movies. Through balancing honors classes, extracurriculars, and now a job, I’ve realized how important it is to have a support system around you to help you grow and succeed in what you’re passionate about, and I want to be there for you every step of the way. I’m so excited to be a part of your journey, and I hope hearing mine can help you in yours :)

Hi, I’m Anjali! I am a junior at the New York Institute of Technology majoring in biology and pursuing a pre-med track. I grew up in Montville, NJ. I was diagnosed with alopecia areata when I was 16 years old and suffered extensive hair loss, eventually leaving me bald in my junior year of high school. Over the past few years, I have regrown my hair, relapsed, and then regrew my hair again. Alopecia areata is such a difficult disease to grapple with, especially without support, which is why I am excited to help others who are in similar situations as mine. I am passionate about researching pediatric brain tumors in laboratory settings, as well as advocating for mental health awareness particularly in healthcare settings and on college campuses. Outside of school, I enjoy keeping up with pop culture, gluten-free cooking, watching my favorite shows, and spending time with friends, family, and my labradoodle. I learned a lot through my journey with alopecia, and can’t wait to help you on yours!

Hey, my name is Ziad! I am a freshman majoring in neuroscience at Adelphi University. I was diagnosed with alopecia areata when I was 15 years old, and a year later, I was diagnosed with alopecia universalis. Since then, I have been blessed with the opportunity to truly learn more about myself and who I aspire to become. Although having alopecia certainly comes with its challenges, I believe it provides a chance for us to redefine self-confidence and beauty. You are on a journey towards self-discovery and growth, and you are not alone. Through this mentorship program, I aim to be a friend to grow and learn with. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports such as basketball and soccer. My favorite soccer team is Liverpool, and my favorite soccer player is Mo Salah (I’m Egyptian). When I’m not playing sports, I love reading nonfiction books, watching documentaries, and playing music! I went to an arts high school and played the Bassoon since I was 13 years old! I am looking forward to connecting with you!

David Peter Ciagne is a high school student in New York City. He has fought alopecia off and on since he was six years old. He has found success with a great doctor, medications, and injections and is optimistic about new FDA approved drugs that are newly available for alopecia treatment. He remembers vividly his struggles in middle school with alopecia and wishes to offer hope for other kids going through their own challenges. David Peter is in a great place with his hair now and is so grateful. He also understands that hair isn’t everything although sometimes it can feel that way! David Peter is an avid sports fan, he loves basketball, surfing, and his dogs.

Hi, my name is Ian Lew and I am currently a junior at Portola High School in Irvine, California. I run Cross-country and Track and plan on majoring in Psychology when I go to college. I have an older brother, a younger sister, a dog, and a cat. Some of my hobbies include speed-cubing, hanging out with friends, and watching Formula 1 with my Dad. I was first diagnosed with Alopecia when I was eleven; it came and went but when I entered high school that's when the majority of my hair started to fall out. I used to wear hats all the time. After a few months, I decided to take off the hat and have not looked back since. I am currently on oral medications with some success. I was originally hesitant to look for a mentor in my Freshman year of high school but after some persuading by my Mom, I found a mentor and it really helped me develop self- confidence and to take my hat off. I want to mentor other people dealing with Alopecia because I found it extremely helpful to talk to someone who has gone through the same experiences (sorry Mom) that I was currently going through. Now that I am at a stage where I am comfortable in my own skin and I want to help others and pay it forward.

Hi, my name is Julius and I was born and raised in Caroline County, Virginia. I have lived in the same house my entire life with my parents, younger sister and lots of pets (we currently have 4 dogs and 2 cats). I attend boarding school in Orange, Virginia, where I am a junior. I was diagnosed with alopecia 12 years ago when I was in the first grade. It started as spots and then it all came out. Since then, I have seen my hair come and go. Other things to know about me. First off, I’m tall (my mom is always calling me to get the things off the high shelves). Second, I am a huge fan of playing sports. At school I currently participate in 3 sports - I play football and lacrosse, and swim during the winter. I used to play basketball and still love to play for fun. I am a HUGE (and I mean HUGE) fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. In my free time, you’ll usually find me playing pickup basketball or golf with my friends. I also like to play Xbox - specifically Madden and 2K are my favorites. If I'm not busy with school or having fun doing any of those, you'll probably find me lifting weights, chilling at home, or helping out my parents or grandparents. I have had alopecia most of my life so I know what it is like and am happy to share my experience.

Hi, I’m Sita! I am a junior at Yale University majoring in political science and pursuing a pre-med track. I grew up in Bethesda, Maryland. I was diagnosed with alopecia areata when I was 16 years old. I struggled with extensive hair loss leaving me mostly bald. Over the past few years, I have regrown my hair and subsequently relapsed and again regrew my hair. Alopecia is an incredibly difficult disease to battle, which is why I’m so excited to mentor others who are similarly dealing with it. I am passionate about researching inflammatory skin diseases in laboratory and clinical settings as well as advocating for adequate coverage of medication for patients experiencing financial burdens. Outside of school, I enjoy stage managing live theater, critiquing movies, cheering on my Maryland teams (Go Ravens!), and training for my next marathon. I have learned and experienced a lot while having alopecia and I can’t wait to be able to help you with your journey!