Global Alopecia Mission (GAM) was founded based on the observation that the medical needs of Alopecia Areata (AA) patients were not being met because research into this widespread auto-immune disorder has been largely ignored. It is our position that immediate, vigorous and comprehensive research is required to understand, develop treatments and ultimately find a cure for this unpredictable and devastating disease.
Because AA is not recognized as life-threatening (although its presents serious quality of life issues) and the most visible symptom and effect of the underlying immunological disease is hair loss, AA has been categorized inappropriately as cosmetic in nature. Statistically, the cosmetic effects (loss of hair) do create tremendous psychosocial trauma in patients. While these are rightfully a primary concern to the AA patient, it is for this reason though that most of the energy and focus in treating AA has targeted the psychosocial consequences brought on by the cosmetic changes rather than the root cause which is the disease itself.
Directing patients to social support, ineffective dermatological interventions, and cosmetic interventions like wigs, consequently, has become the norm and has overshadowed the priority to address the underlying disease from a medical-scientific perspective through research.
To sum it up, Alopecia Areata is a widespread auto-immune disease that has devastating impact on those affected, whether physically or emotionally, and warrants immediate research attention. To that end Global Alopecia Mission was established. GAM is the only nonprofit organization that is exclusively devoted to research leading to a treatment and a cure for Alopecia Areata. Please see the following links for further information on our organization.