2017 Team Charity: Neurofibromatosis Northeast
Update: September 9, 2017: Between personal contributions and the team donation, we were able to raise $2,020 for Neurofibromatosis Northeast!The 2017 Team Charity will go to Neurofibromatosis Northeast. Amazingly, NF is not well known even though it affects three times as many people as muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis combined! Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that can cause tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in or on the body at any time. NF is associated with disfigurement, learning disabilities, deafness, vision impairment, epilepsy and cancer. At this time, there is no effective treatment or cure for NF. The mission of Neurofibromatosis Northeast is to find the cure for NF by promoting scientific research, creating awareness, and supporting those who are affected by NF.
If you haven’t heard of NF, I’m sure most of you have heard of Jeff and Samantha Capobianco’s daughter Camilla (aka Moo) Moo is a spitfire, but she’s also one of the sweetest girls I’ve met. Camilla was born with NF. Over the years I’ve watched her endure various complications due to the disease. A few years back they needed to transplant a bone from her leg to complete a malformed bone in her arm. This year she’s received an implant to suppress excess growth hormone her pituitary glandis excreting. Despite all this, she marches on with Bunny in tow and a smile on her face determined to take on the world (until she putters out).
For the last couple years, I have ridden with Moo's Marauders (https://www.firstgiving.com/team/348887) for the Coast to a Cure charity ride. This year it will be on September 9th. It is a scenic ride throughout the North Shore offering 24, 66 and 100 mile options. I hope you’ll join me and the rest of Moo's Marauders in support of this great cause. The registration fee is $75. This includes support for the ride and a post-ride BBQ. Early registrants will get a Coast to a Cure cycling jersey. There is a $150 minimum fundraising requirement, but this can be covered by your Charitable Giving allotment for athletes who haven’t chosen a charity for the year.