Dear Friends - National Alopecia Areata Foundation

Links for Locks
Golf Tournaments
NAAF’s nationwide golf tournament,
Links for Locks, continues
to attract volunteers from across
the country eager to be proactive
in their community. Links for Locks
has served as a means for families
and support groups to contribute
to NAAF’s mission by heightening
public awareness of alopecia
areata, offering support to individuals
with the disease, and raising
money for NAAF’s programs and
research. North Carolina hosted
the first Links for Locks in 1999,
and the number of tournaments
has grown in recent years. Two impressive
tournaments were held in
2003, followed by four in 2004. We
invite you to get your own community
involved in the Links for Locks
Golf Tournament.
“Putting on a golf tournament
takes a lot of work and
commitment, but seeing the
satisfaction on your child’s face
News-Medical.Net, September 2004,
“Hair cloning could be the cure for
baldness,” explains the science of
cloning from a hair loss perspective,
mentioning alopecia areata and
highlighting researchers Drs. Kevin
McElwee and Jerry Shapiro
News Channel 12, Yonkers, NY, September
2004, “The Daytime Edition,” which
interviewed members of the Westchester
(NY) Support Group
makes you want to do it again.
We’ve learned a lot about ourselves
and others from these
tournaments, the biggest lesson
being, ‘No act of kindness,
no matter how small, is ever
wasted,’ just as Aesop said.”
—Rosa Dest of North Carolina
Links for Locks
Charlotte, North Carolina
The fifth annual Links for
Locks Golf Tournament was held
on October 8 at Regent Park in
Charlotte, North Carolina. With
the backing of several sponsors
and the participation of 88 golfers,
family members, and friends,
a net total of $20,485 was raised
in donations. Richard, Rosa, and
Alexandra Dest hosted the tournament
along with committee members
Jamie and Amanda Rosen,
Rhonda and Travis Hedger, and
Laura Gajewski and Melissa Arroyo.
There was also endless help
the day of the tournament from
others in the community who are
affected by alopecia areata and
Delaware Today, September 2004,
“Loss Cause,” about Peyton Longhurst,
who lost her hair but found comfort and
support from her family, school, and
community
Delaware Online, September 2004,
“Baffling Disease Attacks Hair on Head,
Body,” about local Delaware residents
affected by alopecia areata
The Herald, September 2004, “Teen
Searches for Understanding, Accep-
from employees and friends who
took the time to make a difference.
Links for Locks
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The third annual Links for Locks
Golf Tournament in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, was held on March 22.
One hundred and thirty-six golfers
and thirty volunteers joined
forces for another successful
tournament. This year’s proceeds
exceeded $42,000, and great
publicity raised public awareness
for the event specifically and for
alopecia areata in general.
For example, one week prior to
the tournament the Louisiana
State University (LSU)
tance,” about Carli Wood of Bradenton,
FL, and her experience with alopecia
areata.
KXLY-TV, September 2004, interview
with Aubri Norris and Cari Bickley, followed
by footage from Aubri’s bake sale
Bradenton Herald–East Manatee
Herald, September 4, 2004, “Well-
Being,” about a middle school student,
Carli Woods, and her family, who attended
the NAAF conference
8 NATIONAL ALOPECIA AREATA FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2004
baseball team hosted a “Bald is
Beautiful” night. Fans were encouraged
to shave their heads
to get into the game for free.
Eleven-year-old Abby Ter Haar
was officially recognized on the
field during the game, receiving a
standing ovation. The announcer
mentioned our Links for Locks
tournament and gave a brief description
of alopecia areata to the
3,600 fans. One female fan, Melaine
Curry, shaved her head and
won a cash prize of $200 donated
by the LSU Sports Department.
The next week during the golf
tournament Melanie presented
her $200 prize money to Wendy
Ter Haar, saying she would
like to donate it.
Sun Star Davao, September 27, 2004,
“Alopecia Areata,” a general overview
Newport Daily News, October 2004,
“Stranger Grants Young Girl’s Wish,”
about 6-year-old Alexandra Silvia, who
has alopecia areata
The Charlotte Observer, October 3,
2004, “Links for Locks Tourney Grew
out of Parents’ Love,” on how one
daughter’s disease gave birth to golf
tournament to fund research
Links for Locks
Salisbury, Maryland
There couldn’t have been a
more perfect Father’s Day gift
for Bruce Mooney. On June 20,
Mooney and his family hosted an
unbelievably successful Links for
Locks Golf Tournament in honor
of his seven-year-old daughter
Taylor. Not only did the 132 golfers
enjoy the beautiful weather
and the challenging course that
day, but they also felt great about
helping to achieve the goals of
the Mooney family, increasing
awareness and acceptance of
alopecia areata and raising funds
for research. In total, over $20,000
was raised for alopecia areata research
from hole sponsorships,
golfing fees, and donations.
Links for Locks
Plymouth, Massachusetts
In 2004 the Boston Alopecia
Areata Support Group raised local
awareness and funds for research
by hosting the first Links for Locks
Golf Tournament in New England,
Hillsboro Free Press, October 5,
2004, “Hillsboro Teen Harvests Her
Locks for the Sake of Love,” about 14year-old
Rachelle Scott, who donated
her long hair to Locks of Love
WBT.Com, October 8, 2004, “Rosa
Dest,” a feature on Dest, highlighting
her work with the National Alopecia
Areata Foundation
This Week, Columbus, OH, October
14, 2004, about the Boundin’ awareness