Friday, September 7, 2012

Game 30: NAAF day at the Washington Nationals

September is alopecia awareness month and the National Alopecia Areata Foundation was once again teaming up with MLB.  Sunday was the first event and it was at the Washington Nationals.  The Nats would be donating money to NAAF for our tickets sold as well as letting us have a kiosk with promotional materials. 

We got to the ballpark at 10:30 to get all set up.  It was our first time there and the ballpark was great. We would be giving out the baseball bands as well as brochures about alopecia areata.  Since the gates were not open just yet, there were lots of ballpark workers stopping by and getting information.  Around noon, we were joined by Heidi and her son Shawn, who also has alopecia areata.  We continued to pass out brochures and bands until the game started. 

They did have a couple of Nats signing autographs on top of the dugout so Gavin was able to get a card signed from Sandy Leon.  As we were preparing to close up, a lady from Blue Smoke BBQ came back and gave us BBQ sandwiches.  She was one of the workers we had been talking to before the gates opened.  They were really awesome! 

We were in section 241 with Hedi's group and another group headed up by Kayla.  Kayla is a beautiful bald 20 year old with alopecia as well.  A slight rain fell during the game for a while but it did not dampen the spirits.  We had a great time meeting new people and raising awareness for alopecia areata.  It was neat to see how many people would say they knew someone that had it.  We were able to hand out over 600 of the baseball bands!

We got to see Steven Strasburg pitch, Bryce Harper throw a runner out at the plate, President races, and a Nats win. All in all it was a long day, but a great day and I'm thankful that we were able to be a part of it. 

Blake and Gavin at the NAAF kiosk

Blake sharing about alopecia areata with a school principal

Blake and Gavin with Abe Lincoln

Blake, Gavin, and Shawn

Blue Smoke BBQ

NAAF group in section 241

Today's Autographs: 1
2012 Autographs: 763
2012 My donation: $38.52

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