[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 50 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E468-E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF VICKI KALABOKES FOR RAISING AWARENESS OF ALOPECIA 
                                 AREATA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 28, 2014

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness of alopecia 
areata and the contributions of devoted individuals working to improve 
the lives of patients affected by this condition.
  I am proud to represent the foremost organizations working 
exclusively to better the lives of individuals and families affected by 
alopecia areata, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. President and 
Chief Executive Officer Vicki Kalabokes recently announced that she 
will be stepping down after 27 years of service at the foundation. Her 
leadership in the field will be missed and I congratulate her on behalf 
of the alopecia areata community as well as the dermatology and 
autoimmune disease communities for an impressive, productive and 
meaningful career.
  Ms. Kalabokes has been both a scientific resource for medical experts 
at the National Institutes of Health and a compassionate champion for 
children struggling with the impact of alopecia areata. Her dedication 
led to the establishment of the Alopecia Areata Treatment Development 
Program, which should generate some of the first Food and Drug 
Administration-indicated treatment options for the community. While 
there is a still a great distance

[[Page E469]]

to go before a cure is discovered, Ms. Kalabokes should be acknowledged 
for how far she has advanced this effort.
  The foundation's research program is committed to piecing together 
the puzzle presented by alopecia areata. Part of NAAF's mission is to 
encourage research in alopecia areata, striving to find a cure or 
acceptable treatment. NAAF accomplishes the research mission by funding 
an acclaimed research grant program, and seeking out investigators 
worldwide in the areas of genetics, immunology and clinical research.
  Under Ms. Kalaboke's leadership, NAAF has been at the forefront of 
many fruitful studies that yielded answers to some of the largest 
questions surrounding the autoimmune disease. The organization's 
commitment to continuing this search until all of the questions about 
alopecia areata are answered and the mechanisms of this disease are 
clearly understood is an inspiration to those who struggle with the 
condition.
  Ms. Kalabokes' helped to transform the foundation from a small 
national support group into an international research, support and 
awareness organization. She is leaving the foundation in the most sound 
financial condition in its history.
  After 27 years, Ms. Kalabokes is ready to leave her stable NAAF 
family to be with her growing personal family.
  I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Vicki Kalabokes and to 
call attention to the need to continue to advance research in the area 
of alopecia areata and to improve patient care.