****Update October 6, 2008 ****************************************

Save The Date - November 5th! Join us at Buffalo Wild Wings in Southgate for Dinner with Noah! Marching band season will be over, the elections will be over. Come celebrate, or drown your sorrows. Either way, it's our last fundraiser before we head off to Orlando for the Disney Half Marathon in January. We've had such great support this year, please join us for one last night out. All you have to do is bring in a special flyer and 20% of your total bill will be donated to The Children's Tumor Foundation. Click HERE to print out the flyer.

*********************************************************************

Welcome Back!
And thanks for the amazing support you've given us in the past year! With your help we raised over $17,000 in 2007! This money went to the Children's Tumor Foundation to fund research initiatives and clinical trials that are evaluating the most promising drug treatments for NF. You can find out more by clicking here

Once again, I'll be running with the NF Endurance Team to raise awareness for neurofibromatosis and to raise money for research to find a cure. Last year, Shannon and I "payed back" your generosity by running the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon (26.2 miles) and Half-Marathon (13.1 miles) in Anchorage Alaska. This year, I will be training to run the Disney World Half-Marathon in Orlando.

Why are we doing this?
Our son Noah was diagnosed with NF1 at 10 months old. What started with an innocent trip to the dermatologist to look at some birthmarks turned into a slew of appointments with specialists, geneticists, and eye doctors that will continue for the rest of his life.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is actually divided into three distinct genetic disorders. People with NF1 are prone to the development of benign tumors that grow on the nerves anywhere on or in the body. It can also affect the bones, skin, blood vessels, and eyes. In addition, nearly 50% of all people with NF1 have learning disabilities.

Our family's search for information on NF led us to the Children's Tumor Foundation (www.ctf.org). This group is leading the charge to solve the NF puzzle through research. And where I felt helpless before, they've provided me a way (through the NF EnduranceTeam) to help Noah and others challenged by this disorder.

****Update September 2, 2008 ****************************************
Noah starts Kindergarten tomorrow. I can't believe we're here already. We just finished his yearly eye exam at U of M last Friday. All clear for now say the docs. Thank God. We're so excited for the Disney Half-Marathon coming up in January. Noah and Ramona will be running in the kid's races this year too. Noah in the 200 and Ramona in the 100 meter dash. Look out Usain Bolt! We've got more plans in the works for another exciting family event this fall. We'll keep you posted.
*********************************************************************

****Update June 10, 2008 ****************************************
2nd Annual Concert for Noah
Saturday July 19th
1:00pm
Yack Arena in Wyandotte - Click here for map
$10
Music, Food, and Fun
Psyfunk will be back again, as well as 11 other great groups. Classical, jazz, rock, vocals...something for everyone. And every attendee receives a voucher for a free ticket to a Detroit Shock game. Bigger and better...as promised last year. Just check out a few of these great groups... Psyfunk , Ziptacular!, Il Segreto String Quartet , Nine , Underland , Tin Scribble , Jiant ,
**********************************************************************

****Update May 20, 2008 ****************************************
We wrapped up our CTF garage sale this past weekend. Thanks to our family and friends who donated so many great items. And to the Laus for giving up their garage and backyard. The wind took our tent the first night, but we regrouped and made the most of what we had. Now The Concert for Noah is shaping up. Keep an eye out for flyers, a website, and other upcoming promotions.
*********************************************************************

****Update May 5, 2008 ****************************************
A few days ago, we headed to U of M for Noah's annual evaluation with Dr. Martin. Thankfully, he "passed" with flying colors. Still no apparent ill effects from NF1. We'll be back this summer for a visit with his eye specialist to check for optic gliomas and lisch nodules (optical tumors that most often present in NF1 patients) I think Noah was happiest when we finally convinced him that these doctors don't give pokes. :-)
*********************************************************************

****Update March 25, 2008 ****************************************
2nd Annual Bowling with Noah
Another big success! We had a great turnout, especially being the night before Easter. Thanks to our sponsors and everyone who donated items to the raffle. And thanks to all our family and friends who kept an eye on Noah and Ramona all night. At the end of the night, we came away with $1500 for CTF. An excellent kickoff for our second year of fundraising.
*********************************************************************