When I was 3 years old, I was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis type I. Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a disorder that causes tumors to grow anywhere on or in the body on the nerve sheaths. Depending in the severity of one's case, NF can lead to disfigurement; blindness; skeletal abnormalities; dermal, brain and spinal tumors; loss of limbs; malignancies; and learning disabilities.

Currently, there is no cure for NF. The only treatment is surgery to remove tumors, but often, the tumors grow back.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NF1, NF2, AND SCHWANNOMATOSIS, PLEASE CHECK OUT WWW.CTF.ORG

The NF Marathon Team is a huge resource of funding for NF research. And I need your help! I will be running in the Chicago Marathon in October (that's 26.2 MILES!), to help raise money to find a cure for the NFs.

Some examples of how you can help:
$0.50 every mile = $13.10
$1.00 every mile = $26.20
$2.00 every mile = $52.40
$5.00 every mile = $131
$10.00 every mile = $262
A donation in any amount of your choosing ($5, $10, $20, etc)

For every donation recieved, I will match 10 percent out of my own pocket.

In the next few months, I plan on selling 2008 calandars with my own photography, all proceeds going to the Children's Tumor Foundation!

If you would like to make a donation, but would prefer not to do so online, please send me an e-mail at ashes2beauty@cfl.rr.com, and I will give you the information on how to do so.