Children's Tumor Foundation to hold fundraising walk at Veterans Park on Sunday
The Children’s Tumor Foundation on Sunday is holding a fundraising walk at Veterans Park in Hoover to fund research to fight neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that disturbs cell growth and causes tumors in a person’s nervous system.
The walk is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the park at 4800 Valleydale Road. Registration is at noon and costs $20 for adults and $10 for children age 4 and older. Activities, including zumba, face painting, field games, a kids dash and a photo booth, begin at 1 p.m.
The theme for the walk is Superheroes for a Cure. People are encouraged to dress as superheroes. Friendly "super dogs" also are welcome on a leash for a $5 donation.
People are encouraged to bring tents and chairs to create a tailgating atmosphere.
This is the second year for the Alabama NF Walk. The first one was held last year at Railroad Park in Birmingham. The goal last year was to have 200 walkers and raise $20,000, but the event exceeded expectations by drawing more than 400 walkers and raising $52,648. This year's goal is $60,000.
The NF Walk Program was established in 2009 as a fundraising initiative to support NF research, raise awareness about the condition and provide support for people who have it and their families.
Neurofibromatosis tumors may develop anywhere in the nervous system, including in the brain, spinal cord and nerves, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition is usually diagnosed in childhood and early adulthood.
The tumors are usually noncancerous but in some cases become cancerous. People with neurofibromatosis often experience only mild symptoms. However, the effects can range from hearing loss, learning impairment and heart and blood vessel complications to severe pain, loss of vision and severe disability due to nerve compression by tumors, according to the Mayo Clinic.
For more information about the Alabama NF Walk, contact the Alabama Children's Tumor Foundation state leader at mossrenie@gmail.com or Traceann Rose, the NF Walk program director, at trose@ctf.org.