Four years ago I did my first Cupid’s Undie Run in Cleveland. Back then it was held in the Tremont neighborhood, but is now held Downtown at the House of Blues. The first one I did was single digit temps (EMS was on hand!) and yet still had at least a thousand people braving the elements in their undies….all for this amazing cause.

The charity is the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and the disease that is impacting so many is called Neurofibromatosis (or NF for short). What is Neurofibromatosis? From the Cupid’s Undie page:

“Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow anywhere on or in the body and affects 1 in every 3,000 children born. There are three distinct forms of NF: NF1, NF2, and Schwannomatosis. At this time, there is no approved cure for NF.

Neurofibromatosis 1 is characterized by multiple cafe-au-lait spots and neurofibromas on or under the skin. Occasionally, tumors may develop in the brain, on cranial nerves, or on the spinal cord. About 50% of people with NF1 also have learning disabilities.

Neurofibromatosis 2 is characterized by multiple tumors on the cranial and spinal nerves, and by other lesions of the brain and spinal cord. Hearing loss beginning in the teens or early twenties is generally the first symptom.

Schwannomatosis is a rare form of NF which is less well understood than NF1 and NF2 and has only recently been identified. The genetic disorder affects less than 1 in 40,000 people, and causes the development of benign tumors — called schwannomas — usually on spinal and peripheral nerves.”

Since I began getting involved in this event a few years ago I have come to personally know people who are affected by it, whether its their child or those of loved ones. This makes me want to do even more to help raise money for research and spread the word about the foundation!

I’m currently raising money and ready to run in Lord knows what temps (cause…Cleveland) on February 10th at the 2018 CUR! Now is the time to donate to my #EndNF Cupid’s Undie Run page! 100% of ALL DONATIONS go to the Children’s Tumor Foundation. (CTF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization rated 4-stars by Charity Navigator and priding itself on spending 82.4% of its revenue on program expenses and less than 8% on administrative cos).

Here is the link to donate, and if you’re interested in learning more about CTF and ending NF! DONATE HERE!

Thank you in advance, and hope to see you there!

XO,

Leah*