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