Children's Tumor Foundation

Taylor was diagnosed with Neurofribromatosis when she was only 6-months of age. Hearing this news was very difficult for Theresa and she did everything she could to find out the most information about this disease. Theresa spent the last 25 years planning fundraisers and donating money and time to The Children's Tumor Foundation. It was really near and dear to her heart to not only raise awareness for this disease, but also to find a cure.  

Neurofibromatosis (NF1) causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. NF1 affects about 1 in 3,000 people throughout the world. About 50% of people with NF1 also have learning challenges. Softening and curving of bones, and scoliosis may occur in some patients with NF1. Occasionally, tumors may develop in the brain, on cranial nerves, or on the spinal cord. While NF tumors are generally not cancerous, they may cause health problems by pressing on nearby body tissue. Sometimes a benign tumor may become malignant (cancerous), but most people with NF1 will never develop a malignant tumor. NF1 is usually diagnosed in childhood.

In lieu of flowers for her memorial service this Tuesday, please make a donation in her memory. Any donation will help make an impact and we know it would mean the world to Theresa and her family. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this charity. Theresa's services will be Tuesday, January 29th at 4-6:30pm at Charles Dewhirst Funeral Home In Methuen, Massachusetts. 

More information about Children's Tumor Foundation: Founded in 1978, the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF) began as the first grassroots organization solely dedicated to the goal of finding treatment for NF. Today, CTF is a highly recognized national nonprofit foundation, the leading force in the fight to end NF, and a model for other innovative research endeavors.

For more information regarding NF and the Children's Tumor Foundation, please visit this website: https://www.ctf.org/

NF--Neurofibromatosis--is all around us. Everyday.
CTF--The Children's Tumor Foundation--is searching for a cure for NF. Everyday. 
The fight to end NF, which affects millions of our loved ones young and old, is a cause of particular importance to my family.

And while I don't feel comfortable simply asking all of you for money--I do feel comfortable asking if I can WORK for your money.

On October 13, 2018, I'll be hiking Cascade and Porter Mountains (Adirondack, NY) in honor of all those living with NF . The hike is 7 miles; I'm asking everyone to pledge whatever you can for each mile of my climb. If it's $1--awesome; those $7 matter tremendously, as every cent counts. $100 per mile? Even better. Whatever you can do goes straight to CTF and to the cause--one I vow to climb for every year until we find a cure. 

I thank you all in advance for you support. Please pass this on to whomever you feel might be interested in helping. Looking forward to October 13th!

After an almost four month hiatus, Aly and I are starting back on our half-marathon adventure!  It overwhelms me with excitement to announce the next two half-marathons on our 50-state journey. 

The reason for my excitement is two-fold.  First, we are incredibly excited about the location of our next two races . . . Lake Tahoe, Nevada (Friday, October 13th) and Newburyport, MA (Sunday, October 22nd).  Both locations come highly recommended and will be new adventures for us.  Additionally, the charity we have chosen to support is near and dear to very close friends of ours.  They have generously supported every single race for which we have fundraised and we are thrilled to support a foundation that searches for a cure of a disease that affects their family personally.  Their 7 year old granddaughter battles NF – Neurofibromatosis.  NF is a set of complex genetic disorders that affects every organ system, causing tumors to grow on nerves in the brain and throughout the body.  While half of all affected people inherit the disorder, new cases can arise spontaneously through mutations (changes) in the NF genes. Children’s Tumor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to improving the health and well-being  of individuals and families affected by neurofibromatosis (NF).  Donations to the Children’s Foundation are tax-deductible and will support research to find a cure for this heart-breaking disease.

Please support our efforts on our journey by making a donation to the Children’s Timor Foundation. 

We thank everyone for their continued love and support for our 50-state journey!  This has been an incredible mother-daughter experience.  Over the next two-weeks we will share pictures and updates of our races!

Christine & Aly Mikesell

• Funding innovative research projects that seek new treatments and a potential cure for NF.
• Providing educational resources and support for families navigating the challenges of NF.