A Carlisle woman diagnosed with a rare form of alopecia is raising funds to buy a long-lasting human hair wig.
Kiana Camm has Alopecia Universalis, a condition causing total hair loss on the scalp and body, affecting about one in 4,000 people. There is no known cure.
Recently, the Carlisle mother purchased her first synthetic wig for £300. These wigs typically last only three months and cannot get wet.
On her JustGiving page, Kiana shared: “Losing my hair has been one of the hardest things I have ever been through. It feels ridiculous to say that because there are so many worse things happening to people around the world. My mum told me, ‘Kiana, you are allowed to cry. You are allowed to mourn your hair because it is a massive loss.'”
Kiana hopes to one day embrace different styles, colors, and perhaps even go bald, but she is not ready for that yet. She is trying to stay positive, noting, “At least I’ll never have to shave or wax again!”
Kiana aims to buy her first human hair wig, which can cost around £2,000 depending on the brand. She has already raised £900 through her GoFundMe page.
She explained: “I recently had to say no to my daughter when she asked to go swimming for her birthday at a waterpark. It broke my heart because I’m not brave enough to show the world yet, but sharing this with you all is a step closer. With a human hair wig, I can go swimming and enjoy many other benefits, including a more natural look compared to synthetic hair.”
Kiana announced she will shave her head on Sunday, June 23.