|
| Jonathan Ward's Fundraising Page |
|
|
 |
|
The lovely Grace |
|
|
Friends and Family - Thanks for looking at my fundraising page. This year I decided to run the Portland Half Marathon October 10, 2010 while also raising money to support the Children's Tumor Foundation. Through the NF Endurance Team, I am helping to raise awareness and money for research to diagnose, treat, and cure neurofibromatosis (NF). As the father of a daughter who passed away from a genetic disorder, I empathize with those who are affected by NF as well as find solace in knowing people are working hard to find cures. All I ask is that you read more below and then consider donating $1 per mile ($13.10), or more if you can swing it, to support this cause.
Who is NF Endurance Team? - They are a charity-based endurance sports team focusing on athletes achieving goals while increasing awareness and research funds for neurofibromatosis.
What is neurofibromatosis? - Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder of the nervous system which causes tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in the body at any time. This progressive disorder affects all races, all ethnic groups and both sexes equally. NF is the most common genetic disorder in the United States (one in every 3,000 births)
Meet Grace - An NF Hero as described by her mom
"Grace is a fun-loving, energetic, inspiring 8 year old little girl who has NF1. She was diagnosed when she was three years of age by having a neurofibroma removed from her back and tested. She has had SEVERAL MRI's and a few surgeries since to either remove neurofibromas or check for new ones."
"Some of Grace's hardships due to NF1 are, speech, learning disabilities, walking on her toes and the occasional pain from the neurofibromas. I say "occasional" because we only know when she tells us and she is seriously one tough little chick!!!"
"Currently, she is in a private, general ed Kindergarten classroom in the morning and goes to the public school in the afternoon for speech therapy, occupational therapy and some one on one help with reading and writing. She truly is inspiring to all she encounters. Her resource room teacher says, "Grace is the hardest working student I know!!" EVERYONE at both schools know Grace and absolutely love her fun-loving personality. She is a true gift and was given the perfect name, Grace. Because she is full of it!!! Grace also attends a therapeutic horse back riding group once a week to help strengthen her core and lengthening her heel chords from all of her toe walking. She enjoys riding her 17 hand quarter horse, Spatz. Of course, he is only hers for that wonderful hour each week."
"Thank you for supporting the NF Endurance Team and helping Grace and so many others like her"
About me - It's really not about me, but...I started running a few years ago for general health and caught the bug quickly. I progressed to doing triathlons last year (2009) and have future goals of marathon and half-ironman finishes. To see more boring, but funny, details on my endurance athletics background see My First Tri article
Please consider donating by clicking the link to the right or if you wish to donate via postal mail, please send a check or money order to: Children's Tumor Foundation, ATTN: NF Marathon Team, 95 Pine Street, 16th Floor, NY, NY 10005. Contributions in any amount are greatly appreciated and needed. Your tax-deductible gift will directly fund NF research projects.
If paying offline, please make your check payable to the Children's Tumor Foundation and include my marathon number (5563-PO-10) on the check
Thanks you so much for reading and considering a donation. Know that every dollar helps families hope for medical advances for NF. Researchers have made impressive advances already and, to me, it is exciting to be a part of the future of this area of medicine. Run happy and run for a purpose!
If you would like to join me in this activity or run for another event, see NF Endurance Team's website |
|
|
Total Donations Collected:$2,161.00
|
| Goal: $1,000 |
|
|
|
|
Below is a video from the Children’s
Tumor Foundation that demonstrates how your support benefits nearly
2 million people worldwide that are affected by Neurofibromatosis. I
hope you’ll please take a few minutes to watch the video and perhaps
be as motivated as we are to support The Children’s Tumor
Foundation.
Adobe Flash Player is required to view
video.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sorry.
Fundraising has ended.
|
|
|
|
