Find A Youth Mentor

Hello! My name is CJ Ostrosky. I’m 24, and currently working as a graphic designer and communications professional for a nonprofit in Washington, DC, where I’ve lived for the last few years since graduating from college. I’m originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and I visit my family there frequently and have a lot of hometown pride. When I can, I love to travel all over the world and try new things (especially new foods). I also enjoy painting, reading, kayaking, and spending time with friends. Alopecia is new to me: I lost all my hair just eight months ago. I believe I have alopecia universalis, though I’ve been pursuing a few treatments so far and seen my eyebrows grow back a bit! At first, alopecia was really scary and stressful for me, and it still isn’t always easy, but it has also brought me a new appreciation for my appearance, and a love of doing crazy colorful make-up. Usually, I rock my baldness, but I also really enjoy wearing brightly colored wigs from time to time for fun. For me, I know it would have been easier to cope with such a sudden change if I had known anyone else who had struggled with alopecia. As a mentor, I want to be that person for others and let them know that they are not alone. I am excited to get to know other people who have been through this crazy journey, and I hope to be able to offer support to someone who needs it.

My name is Sarah Ford, I’m 17 years old and live outside of Philadelphia. I am currently a senior at Conestoga High School and during my freshman year is when I found out about my Alopecia. My hobbies include traveling, playing sports and babysitting! In the Fall of my freshman year I noticed a bald spot on my head and all my doctors told me it was from stress. Later that year, I found out it was Alopecia Areata and I began to get the shots in my head to grow back the hair. Since I only had one bald spot the shots worked, and my hair grew back in that area. Around the same time in fall my sophomore year I started to lose my hair again. This time all my hair fell out. I started wearing a wig because I was very self-conscious about looking so different than the rest of my peers in such a big school. During my junior year, all my hair started to grow back under my wig, I had hair down to my ears. Everyone around me was telling me to stop wearing my wig but I was so scared and insecure of what other people were going to say. One day, with the support of my family and friends around me I decided to stop wearing the wig and walk into school with my short hair. I have learned so much through this experience, and even though it was exceptionally hard, it has taught me so much about myself and has changed my perspective on life. Alopecia is a very emotional and hard disease to cope with, but with the help of other people who have alopecia and the community around me I learned that Alopecia isn’t all that matters and there is so much more to life! I can’t wait to be able to give the support that I had to other people who are struggling with Alopecia too.

Originally from Chicagoland, I attended DePaul University (Go Demons!) where I continued to play soccer, as I have my entire life. In my spare time I like to sew, craft, DIY, play sports, watch movies/TV shows, and bake goodies. When I’m not crafting while watching TV and snacking on tasty goods, I travel the world and have adventures with friends and family. As for my bald body, I was first diagnosed with alopecia at 12 years old. It manifested as random bald spots on my head but I was always able to cover them up with the rest of my hair. For me, alopecia started out as a big secret. I was really depressed and didn’t want to go anywhere, even school. My hair eventually grew back. Years later, after I moved to New Orleans, I found the NOLA Alopecia Support Group while searching online. At this point, I had full hair growth on my head and body, but I didn’t know anyone else with alopecia, so I joined the group on a whim. Four months later, my hair was falling out again. Unlike previously, this time my hair fell out quickly and within 2 weeks nearly all of the hair on my body was gone. I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror. Thankfully, I had my support group to fall back on. Sometimes I wear hats (in the sun!), sometimes I wear scarves, and sometimes I “go bald.” I look forward to supporting another, as I once was.

Hi, I'm Sarvesh! I'm an Indian-American who grew up in St. Louis, MO. I first started experiencing alopecia areata when I was 24 years old and it progressed to alopecia universalis within 2 years. I currently live in Austin, TX. In my free time, I try to take advantage of Austin's outdoor friendly climate by hiking, playing soccer, or seeing live music. I also enjoy watching college football and basketball - mostly of my alma mater, the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). I'm involved in other organizations as well including CASA of Travis County (as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the foster care system) as well as Austin Pets Alive (as a Dog Foster Parent). I love to chat about anything from race/politics/culture to how alopecia impacts people's lives to sports, TV, and other pop culture. I've struggled with alopecia a lot in the past; but, overcoming those hardships has made me a more empathetic and resilient person. I'd be happy to share my experiences and/or just hang out!

Heyyyyyy! I’m Lorna, a metro Detroit native. I’ve struggled with self-esteem, confidence, suicide, Alopecia and so much more at an early age causing me to develop a passion to redefine the mind of people all over the world. I’ve earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Wayne State University in Kinesiology and a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration from Wayne State. I was diagnosed with Alopecia when I was 14. I remember it like it was yesterday because I had a volleyball game that day. Over the course of 4 years I got 120 shots in my head to try to get my hair to grow back. I even I did a light box treatment for a year but all that did was bleach my skin. When I went off to college I stopped all treament and just decided to let it do whatever its going to do. It all grew back and very long. I had 1 tiny patch that could be covered! 1 year later after I got married it started falling out again. After I had my son in 2016 it ALL fell out and I officially became apart of the bald club! It was super disappointing at first but I quickly thought to myself, Id never want my son to be ashamed or insecure about anything he cant change and IM STILL FINE ANYWAY! lol I’m a woman of many hats! Despite being a Wife, Mother, Flight Attendant, Mentor, Advisor, Massage Therapist and Entrepreneur I still makes time to encourage, inspire, and motivate people through my non profit Priceless Rubies. I believe I was put on this earth to make people better and that’s what I want to do with you! So lets connect!

Hi, I’m Erin! I’m a second-year college student at Northeastern University pursuing chemical engineering. I have 3 older siblings, a dog, and a cat. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, eating at new restaurants, and watching movies. My journey with Alopecia Areata started when I was 10 and I lost my hair in patches. I regrew hair back with a topical solution. Then, at age 15, I lost my hair until I became bald, and I lost my eyebrows. I covered my bald spots with hats every day in school, and it became my biggest insecurity, affecting my sense of identity. After months of trying to hide my hair loss, I embraced my bald head and wanted to share my story. My hair grew back with Xeljanz and for the last few years, my hair has fallen out and grew back repeatedly, so I’m still on this self-love journey and learning how to cope with it. Alopecia has taught me resilience and the importance of mental health. I encourage others to reach out and share their experiences because I felt lonely in this process, and my goal is to provide a support system to whoever needs it.

Hello! My name is Erica and I am a Midwestern girl from Chicago who has called Dallas home for the past 10 years. I currently live in the suburbs of DFW with my husband, son and two dogs, Roo and Brer. I’ve had alopecia ophiasis (a particularly rare form) since I was in my early teens, but recently decided to shave my head. It was scary but worth it! I was so empowered and inspired by that experience that I felt compelled to help support others navigating their alopecia journey. I hope to be an example for younger children and teens that it is possible to have alopecia and have a fulfilling personal life and career, especially in a traditional corporate environment. In my spare time, I love running, swimming, DIY projects and spending time with my family.

Hello, my name is Sasha and I am a born and raised New Yorker. I work in NYC as a full-time accountant and a part-time English tutor. Developing alopecia in my young adult life really affected my sense of self and identity. At that time, I did not know how to cope with the emotional stress and had little knowledge or access to the available resources. In time, I found the support of great people who helped me learn more about this disease and encouraged me to stay positive. With their help, I learned everything I could know about alopecia and the tools available to overcome it. I’m proud of the strides I’ve made and the skills I’ve acquired that help me to feel like myself again. I think every journey is a little bit different but we can definitely learn from each other. I would like my role to be someone who can understand, support, and empathize with you and your family. Together we can carry ourselves through this journey.

Everyone is brave. Each person is brave because of their own unique journeys and obstacles. Mine just happened to be alopecia! This is one of the many things alopecia has taught me. Hi! My name is Sabrina. I’ve been a Minnesotan my whole life and never lived anywhere else, but I love exploring new places. I love to create art, eat plants, play tennis, and spend time with my family and friends. I was diagnosed with alopecia areata late 2019. I didn’t develop alopecia as a child and haven’t had it for quite as long as some people, but the disease has had a significant impact on me, especially as a college student. Ultimately, it changed my life. My hair loss started out as a single patch but diffused into alopecia universalis within 6 months. I bought a wig initially thinking I just needed to temporarily hide my balding head until my hair grew back. But I realized eventually, as my hair loss worsened, that alopecia was something that was going to be with me for the rest of my life. I shaved my head to take control of the disease and stopped wearing my wig. It made me feel beautiful and more like myself. With each day, I learn more about how to fully accept this mysterious disease. I can’t wait to continue my journey of bravery and be a part of your journey with you!

Hi, I’m Allie! I’m currently in my junior year of high school. I was born and raised in south Jersey, so I’m a diehard Philly sports fan. I love exploring the outdoors and going on trips with my family and friends. My journey with alopecia started my freshman year when i noticed a few, small, bald spots around my head. Developing alopecia during such a big transitional period in my life definitely took a stab at my mental health. Luckily, I was (and still am) blessed to be surrounded by such amazing and supportive people who have made this journey so much easier. My goal is to be that support system to someone else who needs it now as much as I did then.