National Alopecia Awareness Month

L-R%2C+Lauren%2C+McKenley%2C+Hannah

L-R, Lauren, McKenley, Hannah

Laney, Reporter

For those that don’t know, National Alopecia Awareness Month is September. Although Alopecia is classified as a common disease, many people do not know much about it. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that affects hair follicles, and, as a result, hair tends to fall out.  Alopecia affects as many as 6.8 million individuals in the United States, and two percent of the population worldwide. The estimated prevalence of this disease is one in one thousand. Worldwide, 147 million individuals have been diagnosed with this disease.

Here at SHS, we have a fellow student who lives with Alopecia. McKenley was diagnosed with Alopecia when she was five years old. When asked what she wants the world to know about her and her condition, McKenley states, “Something I wish people knew about Alopecia is that it is not a disability. It is a disease.” McKenley’s condition does not limit her. She is currently on the SHS danceline and attends jazz, tap, and ballet classes regularly. McKenley also states that, “I don’t look at it as a disease. I look at it as a blessing.” She goes on to say, “I was meant to have it so that I could educate people on it.”  We can all learn a little something from McKenley’s positive outlook!