| FABULOUS FOUR
Welcome to my fundraising page. I would like you to meet Makenna (left), Ava (on my lap), and Hanna (right) I’m Melisa. We all have NF-1. We are the Fabulous Four.
Neurofibromatosis Type-1, or, NF-1, is a genetic condition that can be passed on from one parent or it can be a spontaneous mutation during fetal development. The latter is the case for all of us as no one in our families has NF-1.
NF-1 can cause bone deformities, brown spots called café au lait spots, peripheral nerve tumors, tumors that can grow anywhere in the body at any time, in some cases the tumors may be malignant. NF-1 causes learning disabilities in 50% of the patients affected. There is a 50% chance or greater that a person who has NF-1 could pass it on to his or her children.
There is no cure or treatment for NF-1. Scientists and physicians are diligently working to find treatments to suppress tumor growth and help with learning disabilities. The NF Endurance Team raises money to aid in the cost of finding a cure for this devastating condition. We run for those who can’t. We will continue to run until a cure is found.
Makenna, Hannah, and myself all have a below the knee amputation due to pseudoarthrosis of the tibia which is a bone deformity caused by NF-1, each of them has a prosthetic leg. Ava, who is seated on my lap, does not have any bone deformities. Ava has a tumor on her spine on the nerves level C-1 and C-2. Her physicians are keeping a close watch at this time the tumor is stable but fear is that it will grow and affect her motor skills; she has to endure MRI’s every six months.
.JPG)
Legs
I am participating in the Rock n Roll Half Marathon San Jose October 3, 2010.
This will be my first half marathon, that’s 13.1 miles since undergoing major abdomominal surgery on March 11, 2010. There was an ovarian cancer scare however, the tumor on my ovary was found to be benign and not related to NF-1. I am running for Makenna, Hanna, Ava, and every man, woman, and child who has NF. I will not stop running until a cure is found. Technology has given me the gift to run. I run for those who can’t.
I have hope that my running this half marathon after having major surgery will mean more donations this year! More money, more miles, I will run!!! My goal is to help expand public awareness of this condition and increase understanding of the challenges facing persons with NF. My hope is that a cure is found before Makenna, Ava, and Hannah may have to deal with the many challenges NF can bring on at any time. Please take a moment and view the video below.
If you would prefer to donate by check, please make checks payable to: Children's Tumor Foundation and mail to:
Children’s Tumor Foundation
95 Pine Street, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10269-0741
Please include on your check: Melisa Callison ID#
SJ-3171-10
Your donation is 100% tax deductible, and will go toward research that will eventually lead to a treatment and cure for those who suffer.
Thank-you for your support!
Melisa
.JPG)
Running on Sunset Beach | 
.JPG)
