Heads and hearts: Suri Gonzalez Darrough, centre, and Lauren Dyer, who both have alopecia, with Chelsea Allen, left, who has donated some of her hair for a wig. Photo: Janie Barrett
Six-year-old Suri Gonzalez Darrough does not have hair and has only one thing to say about the matter: ”I feel so proud.”
The year 1 student from Liverpool is one of about 40,000 Australians diagnosed with alopecia, an untreatable condition that causes hair loss.
”I don’t mind because I like being myself. I like to be hair free,” said Suri, who started losing hair when she was a toddler and now has no body hair.
Alopecia Awareness Week starts on Monday. While Suri doesn’t mind being hairless, organiser Grace Proust said many children don’t cope well when they suddenly lose their hair.