Tortoise & Hair 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk - to benefit National Alopecia Areata Foundation

Alopecia areata (al-oh-PEE-sha air-ee-AH-tah) is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This common but very challenging and capricious disease affects more than 5 million people in the United states alone. At this time there is no cure or effective treatment.

In alopecia areata, the affected hair follicles are attacked by a person's own immune system, resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage. Alopecia areata usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp and progress to total scalp loss or complete body hair loss.

Alopecia areata occurs in males and females of all ages and races. However, onset most often begins in childhood and can be psychologically devastating.

The mission of The National Alopecia Areata Foundation is to support research to find a cure or acceptable treatment for alopecia areata, to support those with the disease, and to educate the public about alopecia areata. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation was founded in 1984 and is a 501c non-profit organization.