SCARBOROUGH, N.Y. -- Bald Girls Do Lunch, a not-for-profit organization, is bringing women with alopecia areata together for the first time in Los Angeles and San Diego.

At lunches in cities across the country, Thea Chassin, founder and president, meets women who struggle to keep their condition a secret, which she says is emotionally debilitating. According to Chassin, when every person at the table has the same condition, it builds resources and resilience.

Although they do not have a life-threatening illness, these women must work every day to overcome obstacles to getting on with their lives.

Chassin knows first hand what bald women are up against, she being bald for over 10 years. "Friends and family mean well, but it's a relief to talk to someone else in the same situation and get tips on living openly and happily with this condition."

The southern California lunches are taking place in Costa Mesa (January 6), Los Angeles (January 8), Woodland Hills (January 13) and Rancho Bernardo (January 16). Invitations and details are posted at www.baldgirlsdolunch.org.