GRANITE FALLS — Tessa Romack was overwhelmed by the turnout.
Seventy people, including four girls and a woman, had their heads shaved Jan. 16 as part of a fundraiser for research into alopecia, an uncommon autoimmune disease that causes Tessa and about 450,000 other Americans to lose patches or, in some cases, all of their hair.
Tessa, a sophomore at Granite Falls High School, was diagnosed with alopecia areata several years ago. She lost patches of her hair and her eyebrows and eyelashes. Tessa opted to shave her head almost a year ago as her hair loss progressed.
She spent months planning the fundraiser, which far exceeded her expectations.
“I was completely shocked and I just couldn’t believe it,” Tessa said. “It was amazing. Even now, when I think about it, I can’t believe how many people turned out.”
The event raised more than $2,000 for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation through $5 shaves and $2 bracelets.
More than 500 bracelets have been sold and sales are continuing.
A large chunk of the proceeds came from one shorn pate.
Granite Falls High School math teacher Sean Antonius collected more than $350 from other staff members to get his hair shaved.
“There was so much support for Tessa,” said Kathy Grant, a school district spokeswoman.
Alopecia can occur at any time in life.
Someday Tessa’s hair may grow back, but there are no guarantees.
For now, she is glad to see so much caring from her hometown.
“I hope to do it again next year,” she said.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.
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