Marianne Connelly spreading awareness for Alopecia in Duluth

Many people at Leif Erikson park were out walking for the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk. Although one walker, Marianne Connelly is spreading awareness for Alopecia Areta, other known as hair loss.

Alopecia, can affect your scalp or your entire body, but the hair loss can be either temporary or permanent. The causes of Alopecia are heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or even a normal part of aging.

Marianne Connelly is spreading awareness to help encourage people to make donations for finding a cure for Alopecia. “It’s one of those things where a lot of people just wear wigs and are shy about sharing that. Bald is beautiful, but it’s more than just hair. It affects your emotional and your life,” Connelly said.

Connelly said for people like her with Alopecia Areata, her hair loss started with quarter-sized bald spots, and then clumps of hair falling out. “It just makes you so sad because it doesn’t all fall out like this. It’s random, patchy, and it’s not pretty,” Connelly said. “You try the treatments. For some people, they work for a while, but it’s injections in your scalp, and taking steroids, and it’s not long term.”

Connelly said while other cities like San Francisco and Minneapolis are having walks with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. The funds raised will go towards finding a cure for Alopecia Areata and helping others suffering hair loss. “It’s important to connect, and depression can be a big part of it. And also knowing you’re not alone.”

For more information about Alopecia you can read more here. Also for other stories happening in Duluth you can read more here.