The 1st A.C.T Meeting

On Thursday, September 10, 2009, The Alopecia Community of the Triangle (A.C.T.) met for our very first meeting.  It was a wonderful event that will be recorded as the birth date of a long and prosperous history now in the making. It is an amazing feeling when you can see a vision come into reality. The process of giving birth to it may present challenges but the joy of the delivery and the ability to watch it grow makes it all worthwhile!

9-10-09  Rewind and Review

I am grateful for every heart that attended our very first meeting. There were several people who expressed interest in attending but due to schedule conflicts etc., there were some last minute cancellations that left us with a modest attendance of 5 amazing women. Our children played in the gym so that we could indulge in uninterrupted, stimulating adult conversation. It was a perfect start to some beautiful friendships and we sat together talking, sharing our stories and eating birthday cake. Yum!

I reviewed in detail the mission, vision &  goals for A.C.T. and each one of us left with our hearts and bellies full. We were filled with  anticipation for the next time we will come together, knowing that the attendance will increase every time we meet. I don’t despise humble beginnings, I embrace them, and as we grow, it will only lend itself to be a more compelling testimony. Now I can confidently  say, that we are off to a great start!

What’s up next?

Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2009. There is a standing open invitation for anyone who is impacted by hair loss to join us. If you have any form of Alopecia Areata, hair loss due to chemotherapy, illness, genetics or otherwise,  you are more than welcome to partner with us and get the support you need. Please RSVP due to limited seating and to allow for planning in advance. RSVP by e-mail to Sandra@ AlopeciaCommunity.org or by phone at 919-610-5420.

For more information, visit our website: www.AlopeciaCommunity.org

• October 15^th- 2^nd ACT Meeting @ Apex Community Center 7:15 PM
• November 12^th- 3^rd ACT Meeting @ Apex Community Center 7:15 PM
• December- In lieu of a regular monthly meeting we will have a Holiday Dinner Party for members & guests only/Date and location TBD

*Live entertainment (Christmas carols performed by Sandra Dubose-Gibson AND friends)

*Raffle for a special door prize to a lucky winner!

Tentative: Holiday Parade- A.C.T. will participate in a parade and attendees will ride on a float to promote Alopecia Awareness

• January 2010- Meeting date and location TBD

*Save the date/ Weekend of January 23^rd - Luncheon for women with “Bald Girls Do Lunch”

Learn more about this organization at:  www.baldgirlsdolunch.org

• June 24^th -27^th, 2010– 25^th Annual NAAF Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana
• July 2010- National Bald out Day- Possible Bald Out Bus Ride to Carrowinds Amusement Park

I look forward to seeing your face in the place at our next meeting.

The Alopecia Community of the Triangle. Discovering true beauty from the inside-out!

The Alopecia Community of the Triangle was created to bring the alopecia (hair loss) community together in and around the Raleigh, North Carolina area.  A.C.T offers support, a safe environment to share and a place to be empowered. You will be given the tools you need to build your self confidence and the opportunity to build relationships with others who can personally relate to your experience.  We offer free empowerment workshops and small group sessions for each age group to meet the needs of each participant.

Whether you are struggling with Alopecia or in a place of acceptance and regained confidence, there is a purpose for you here. Together we can help each other turn what was negative into a positive. We seek out opportunities to be “change agents” in our community by participating in activities that help others while promoting Alopecia Awareness.

Mission Statement

A.C.T. is a unified body of diverse individuals impacted by Alopecia personally or through someone we love. We have joined together to provide emotional support, a  safe place for sharing and improve self confidence. Anyone living with Alopecia Areata, hair loss due to chemotherapy, illness or otherwise is welcome to join regardless of race, gender or age. We will foster authentic self esteem by participating in community activities that help others while promoting Alopecia awareness in our community.

A.C.T. Groups

General meetings will often be separated into subgroups by age range, to ensure the conversation content focuses on the needs and concerns of that specific group. This is an example of categories for potential subgroups:

1. Women 21+ up- Adult women only
2. Men 21+ up- Adult men only
3. Teen/Young Adults- Teens connect with other teens and talk about issues like dating, individuality and the challenges of being different.
4. Elementary/Middle School Age- Young children can choose to sit in a group session and talk or spend time bonding together in a supervised play date in the gym.
5. Parents of children with Alopecia- Parents can share resources, offer support and parenting advice on how to manage their emotions while meeting the needs of their child.
6. Family/loved ones- Spouses and family members have an opportunity to share their experience and learn ways to support the ones they love with Alopecia.

Meeting Agenda for Thursday, September 10, 2009

7:15-7:30 PM Arrival, sign in and refreshments

7:30- 8:30 pm General Meeting

• Introductions
• Ice Breaker
• Kids can be dismissed to go to the gym/game room (optional)
• Sharing- open session

8:30- 8:45 pm closing words of inspiration from Sandra Dubose-Gibson, President of A.C.T.

• Announcements  & Good byes
• Next meeting October 15, 2009 7:15-8:45 PM
  

Apex Community Center

53 Hunter Street

Apex, N.C. 27502-2312

The Alopecia Community of the Triangle, discovering true beauty from the inside-out!

Alopecia Awareness Month is held in September and is the month dedicated to spreading awareness of the autoimmune disease Alopecia Areata. This disease affects over 5 million people in the United States alone. Many organizations and individuals like myself  utilize this time to join together and support those that are challenged by this disease to impact and empower the Alopecia community and foster greater public sensitivity through education.

Why is Alopecia Awareness Month important?

When faced with any ailment that cause changes to your self image, I believe that the the most effective medicine is to take the focus off of yourself. Instead of having pity parties about the problem, channel that energy in the direction of a solution. If you do not fight for yourself and the causes that impact you, then who will?  Alopecia Awareness Month is the perfect time to jump start your own healing by taking an active stand and getting involved in something greater than yourself. The effort you put forth today, can make a world of a difference in the lives of many.

What can you do to support Alopecia Awareness Month?

Whether you have Alopecia, or just know someone who does, you are a perfect candidate to get in the fight. Here are some ideas of things you can do:

• If you can, donate hair to locks of love that provides hair pieces to financially disadvantaged children in the US and Canada .
• You can start, support or even join a support group in your area for people living with Alopecia.

There is always work to do but the laborers are few. This month, consider taking an action that will be a blessing to you and everyone around you.

In the spirit of Alopecia Awareness Month, I have decided to organize a group for Alopecians in my neck of the woods. If you reside in or around the Raleigh, North Carolina area and you are looking for a safe and empowering place to share with people who care, I cordially invite you to join us at the Alopecia Community of the Triangle.

Join the fun as we celebrate self empowerment at the very 1^st meeting for the……………

“Alopecia Community of the Triangle”

A.C.T. is a unified body of diverse individuals. We have joined together to offer support, provide a safe place for growth, healing and to bolster self esteem for ALL people living with Alopecia Areata, hair loss due to chemotherapy, illness or otherwise. Our goal is to transform a negative experience into a positive one by using it to impact our communities, and empower ourselves as well as others while promoting Alopecia Awareness.

RSVP Today to Sandra@MyAlopeciaExperience.com or call 919-610-5420

To attend the Kick off Celebration!

When: Thursday, September 10, 2009

Time: 7:15 PM- 8:45 PM

Where: Apex Community Center

53 Hunter Street

Apex, NC 27502-2312

Light refreshments will be served.

• Adult supervised childcare will be made available for school age children if needed.

A one day guest pass MUST be purchased for $5 at the front desk of the community center to allow your child to play in the gymnasium. Free access to the game room is also available on site.

• Please RSVP to confirm your attendance ASAP. Include the number of people you are bringing and communicate your childcare needs to allow for planning in advance.
• Call Apex Community Center at 919-249-3402 if you need driving directions.

We look forward to embarking on this new and exciting journey with YOU!

Feel free to post your RSVP here if you plan to attend the kick off celebration.