Isobelle has Neurofibromatosis (NF1). This disorder can result in tumors to develop anywhere in her body, at any time. It affects 1 in every 3,000 people and is more prevalent than Cystic Fibrosis, hereditary Muscular Dystrophy, Huntington's disease and Tay-Sachs combined.

NF can lead to blindness, bone deformities, seizures, severe itching, pain, learning disabilities, and cancer. Just one day before Izzy’s 3rd birthday, she began chemotherapy to battle an optic glioma (tumor) that is slowly taking her vision. She is a strong little girl who loves Dora, Diego, and baby Jaguar. She takes them to chemo with her every week. Even when she feels awful from the poison in her veins, she manages to make us smile. Her loving big brother, James, cries and asks us not to hurt her each time we have to give her an injection of Neupogen at home to help her blood counts remain high enough for her to have her chemo. This is when I realize how painful this condition is not only to our little girl, but to all those whom she has touched.

In addition to the brain tumor, Izzy suffers from headaches and has some gross motor delays. She is covered in café au lait spots and also has hypotonia which requires her to wear orthotics in her shoes. We can only imagine the pain she experiences but is unable to put into words due to her age and the fact that she has never known anything different. Neurofibromatosis has always been a part of her life. She thinks that everything she goes through is “NORMAL!” Because of the progressive, yet unpredictable nature of NF, we have no idea what her future holds. We can only watch, wait, and try to make a difference.

NF shows no mercy to age, race or gender. To date, there are only a few effective treatments. There is no cure. We intend to change this!

Over the next year, we will be hosting a variety of awareness and fundraising opportunities. These will include walks and runs via the endurance team, tea parties, awareness nights at local sports teams, and crops.

As we create events, They will be posted here or formal invitations will be sent out.

Racing for Research is raising money to support the Children's Tumor Foundation(CTF). CTF is the NF national non-profit organization and has a long-term scientific research plan that lead our efforts to find a cure. It is our collective goal to solve the NF Puzzle one mile at a time, one clinical trial at a time, and one potential drug therapy at a time.

100% of all money raised will go towards research.

Isobelle’s Team has decided to put a stop to NF, to fight for her future, a future that will be decided by Isobelle and NOT NF.

Thank you so much,

Marianne, Darren, James, Izzy and Isobelle’s Team