The strength and resilience of an 8-year-old Philadelphia girl during her battle with alopecia, a medical condition that causes hair loss, has inspired her family to shave their heads.
Savannah Brown and her family appeared on Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia” earlier this week to talk about her journey and the heartwarming support she has received.
Ruqayyah Qaiyim, Brown’s mother, said her daughter was diagnosed with alopecia two months ago. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack its hair follicles, resulting in hair loss, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Qaiyim stated that the little girl’s doctors are unsure why she developed the disorder, which is uncommon in children, but believe it may be related to a previous illness, such as her COVID-19 diagnosis during the summer.
During the family’s appearance on “Good Day Philadelphia,” Brown’s great aunt Monica Gibson decided to shave her head on live television as a public display of support.
“[Savannah] is amazing. She has so much courage and she is encouraging,” Gibson said.
Following the emotional moment, Brown said she was shocked at the “overwhelming support” she has received from her family since her diagnosis.
“I am just still in shock to see how many people shaved it to support me this way. I never really thought this would happen,” Brown said in awe.