Back in May 2000, a patient recovering from pilonidal surgery was frustrated. She couldn’t find good information online about how to heal after her operation. So, she decided to do something about it: she started her own website to share what she learned with others going through the same thing.
At first, the website was small—just 10 pages and a message board. But it quickly grew. Over the years, more and more people found the site, and it became a place where patients and doctors from all over the world could connect, share advice, and learn about pilonidal disease. Today, the site has over 60 pages of information, and our forums are full of support and stories from people everywhere. We also have a medical advisory board with top surgeons who specialize in treating pilonidal disease.
In 2004, we officially became the Pilonidal Support Alliance, a nonprofit organization based in California. Since 2005, donations to us have been fully tax-deductible.
If you’re looking for help, information, or just someone who understands what you’re going through, you’re in the right place. Welcome to the Pilonidal Support Alliance!
Where We Are Now
Today, we’re the #1 place in the world for information about pilonidal disease and its treatments. Thanks to our community and the information we share, treatments like the Bascom Cleft Lift—once not well known—are now used by more than 175 surgeons around the globe. In the past, it was common to hear from patients who had gone through 5 or even 10 failed surgeries. Now, with better information and access to skilled doctors, those stories are much rarer.
People from 88 different countries have visited our website, showing just how many lives have been touched by this community. All of this started because one person decided to make a difference.
Because one woman got frustrated in 2000 and decided to start a website, thousands and thousands of lives have been changed.
Never let anyone tell you that you can’t change the world—you really can.
Sandy Laube, Founder and Executive Director
and Cancer Survivor (2018)
Contact
The Pilonidal Support Alliance
5089 Saratoga Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630
562-254-6839 voice
Contact form
Important Information
Disclaimer
We are not a medical organization. Our website is here to provide support and information, but it’s not a replacement for professional medical care. Always talk to a licensed doctor about your health concerns. Any advice or stories shared on our forums come from patients, not medical professionals, unless clearly stated otherwise. We don’t recommend specific doctors or products.
Privacy
We respect your privacy. You can join our forums without sharing your real name. We keep everything you share private and never give, sell, or make your information public.
You don’t need to provide any personal details to get a user account on our discussion board. Sharing information is always your choice. We will not, under any circumstances, forward anything from your signup process or emails to anyone else or post it publicly on our site.
**MAY 2001 – A good story**
I’m celebrating today! It was one year ago that I had my cyst removed and it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. My wound closed perfectly the first time and I’ve had no real problems since (I do still check it every day, just to be sure). Removing the cyst gave me back my life: I’ve lost 30 pounds, started eating right and exercising again, and started dating again.
I no longer spend 2 weeks out of every month with a wad of gauze taped to my backside with a draining cyst and I no longer have to pack medical supplies when I travel. I no longer worry about what I will tell a potential mate about the oozing lump on my tailbone. 8 weeks of packing was more than worth it to have the freedom to live a normal life, even a recurrence doesn’t scare me anymore. For those of you who get through your surgery and go on to live a normal life, please come back here and post your success story — remember how scary it was the first time you came here and saw nothing but bad stories, for every horror story there are at least 10 good stories so please help me out by posting your successes as well as the traumas!
-Sandy