09/13/2025
💙 September is Alopecia Awareness Month 💙
And today, we honor one of our own employees at Harborview Rome, Susanne Martin.
Susanne lives with Alopecia Totalis, a rare autoimmune condition that causes complete hair loss on the scalp and face. Fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. are affected by this severe form of alopecia areata, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles.
In 2018, Susanne noticed the early signs of hair loss. After undergoing hundreds of tests and trying every treatment imaginable—creams, injections, and more—she was officially diagnosed with Alopecia Totalis in 2019. Susanne remembers one defining moment: “I was rubbing my fingers through my hair and a big glob came out. I went to the bathroom, sat on the floor, and just cried. I decided to shave my entire head that day.” She admits that the emotional toll in the beginning was overwhelming - "I was completely beaten down."
However, Susanne has embraced her condition with grace and courage. She’s found strength in acceptance and found joy in her collection of beautiful headwraps. Her headwraps tell stories of resilience and grace, not as her identity, but as a canvas for the woman she’s always been beneath the surface. Though she’s often asked if she’s sick or undergoing chemotherapy, she uses those moments to educate and advocate.
Thank you, Susanne, for your bravery, honesty, and for showing us what resilience truly looks like. We love you!
