At only 5-years-old, Savannah Jenkins was diagnosed with alopecia areata earlier this year.
Savannah’s mum, Samantha Jenkins, said Savannah lost all of her hair within five weeks.
“It was really hard to answer her questions as to why her hair was falling out,” Miss Jenkins said.
Her alopecia areata has now turned into alopecia universalis – where all of someone’s hair falls out on their head, face and body.
In late June, Miss Jenkins and Savannah started Brave Little Treats.
Based in Yarrabilba, they sell made-to-order cakesicles and dipped Oreos, with purchases contributing towards some of the extra medical costs the family face.
All treats are decorated by Savannah herself, with a little help from mum, making each treat unique.
With flavours of the week being introduced, there is no shortage of treats to try.
Brave Little Treats has now become a hobby for Savannah and a way to bond with her mum.
“She enjoys it, she picks the colour and the sprinkles on top,” Miss Jenkins said.
Orders are usually ready within a day or two.
Miss Jenkins said she has seen a lot of community support, with returning customers already.
“It’s skyrocketed here, it’s been really, really good,” Miss Jenkins said.
Savannah’s brother has also been diagnosed with alopecia, with the two of them experiencing the disease differently.
Miss Jenkins said she was “rocked” having two children with the disease.
“You never think it will happen to you,” Miss Jenkins said.
A steroid cream used by Savannah, which cost $500, did not work, so the family is now waiting for a tablet.
Alopecia treatments are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or Medicare leaving those needing the medication out of pocket hundreds of dollars.
The PBS classifies alopecia treatments as cosmetic.
Savannah has embraced her alopecia and does not want to hide it but is rugged up now in the wintertime because of the disease, her mums says.
There are frequent visits to the children’s hospital and time off work for Miss Jenkins, since Savannah also has two other autoimmune diseases.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s hair follicles.
You can find more information on Brave Little Treat’s Facebook or Instagram.
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