NEWS RELEASE - National Alopecia Areata Foundation

14 Mitchell Boulevard, San Rafael, CA 94903 • 415.472.3780
Fax 415.472.5343 • Website www.naaf.org • Email info@naaf.org
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Joe Della Cella
For Release by February 29, 2012 (415) 472-3780
News Release #4
joe@naaf.org
Pictures, Biographies & Backgrounders Available Upon Request
Sheila Belkin Appointed Director of Patient and Partner Relations
for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation
SAN RAFAEL, CA - February 29, 2012 - The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF)
announces that Sheila Belkin has been appointed Director of Patient and Partner Relations after
12 years as President and CEO of the Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation. Sheila brings a
tremendous skill set to this role, including her ability to communicate and develop relationships.
NAAF CEO and President Vicki Kalabokes said, “Sheila has a deep commitment to all those
dealing with any type of hair loss. She wants to help those with alopecia areata and other types of
hair loss improve their lives. She has a great track record in bringing together corporate partners
to achieve the same goal.”
Upon receiving this appointment, Ms. Belkin states, “My concern has always been to help
patients in every way I can. This new opportunity gives me the avenue to reach even more
patients and coordinate the corporate partners to help fund initiatives to help those patients.”
Born in New York and educated at UCLA with a major in history, Sheila Belkin began her career
in art. As a painter trained at Otis Art Institute, Ms. Belkin created works that are housed in
museums and private collections. She served in the motion picture industry as President of two
companies and helped produce “The Potters of Buur Heybe, Somalia.” Ms. Belkin was on the
Board of Directors of Women in Film International, where she advanced the strength of women
in the entertainment industry.
She was co-founder, President and CEO of the Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation for
twelve years. In 2010, Ms. Belkin was recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology
with a Gold Triangle Award for her role as a leader and a visionary. She fully understands the
multiple issues dealing with alopecia areata since she herself endures the scarring type of
alopecia.
As a dedicated supporter in the fields of health care and patient advocacy, she served on the
Board of Directors of the Coalition of Skin Diseases, and is a member of the National Institute of
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Coalition, the National Organization of Rare
Diseases, the North American Hair Research Society, and the Women’s Dermatologic Society.
Belkin co-authored and illustrated a children’s book, “Safe in the Sun,” that is distributed by the
Women’s Dermatologic Society as part of their ‘adopt-a-school’ and national skin cancer
awareness programs.
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Alopecia (AL-OH-PEE-SHA) areata (AIR-EE-AH-TAH) is the most common autoimmune
disease that may result in total or partial loss of scalp and body hair. Affecting over 5 million
Americans, and 117 million people worldwide, alopecia areata currently has no cure, and no
treatment that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It occurs in both sexes and all
races and ages, but young people are affected most often. Alopecia areata usually starts with one
or more small, round patches on the scalp. In some people, the condition continues until all of the
hair on the scalp is lost (alopecia totalis), or over the entire body, including the eyebrows and
eyelashes (alopecia universalis).
NAAF, headquartered in San Rafael, CA, fundraises for research to find a cure or acceptable
treatment for alopecia areata, supports those with the disease, and educates the public about
alopecia areata. NAAF is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and has a prestigious
Scientific Advisory Council. Founded in 1981, NAAF is widely regarded as the largest, most
influential, and most representative foundation associated with alopecia areata.
We look forward to sharing the excitement of the 27 th Annual NAAF Conference with the 1,000
individuals expected to attend July 19 th – July 22 nd at the Hyatt Regency- Capitol Hill in
Washington, DC. To learn more about this event, alopecia areata, or to schedule an interview
with one of our speakers, please contact the National Alopecia Areata Foundation office at 415-
472-3780 in San Rafael, CA or visit the NAAF website at www.naaf.org.
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