Raising awareness for Neurofibromatosis

One in every 3,000 children is born with neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow all over the body. We need to take action now so that no child or adult has to face the challenges of NF – learning disabilities, blindness, pain, deafness, cancer, disfigurement, bone defects and cardiovascular problems. There is no cure for NF, but as a parent of a child suffering from this disfiguring and painful disease and also a member of the Running Bug - NF Endurance Team (a fundraising support arm of the Ladybug Foundation) we are fighting to change that through raising awareness.

My daughter Mikayla was diagnosed with this disease when she was only 5 months. What was first diagnosed as a mosquito bite turned out to be a tumour on her back which has now latched onto her spine. She also has scoliosis of the spine (curvature of the spine) which may lead to operations later in life. The pain she was in for the first 2 years of her life was horrendous. She is now on medication to help with the nerve pain and she is now able to get out of bed like any other normal 8 year old.

I am wanting to help find a cure for this disfiguring and painful disease so I am currently training for various NZ Half Marathons throughout 2016 and 2017. I need your help, your generosity and your support.

The Ladybug Foundation, via the Running Bug Endurance Team, has set a goal of raising $5,000 and I am asking YOU to please make a contribution.

The Ladybug Foundation is a New Zealand non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness for Neurofibromatosis and helping NF families in need.

Your donation will ensure continued funding these families and people struggling with the daily pain of NF.

When you donate to the Ladybug Foundation, you become part of a team driven to provide hope for the more than 3,000 people who suffer from NF in NZ including 8 year old Mikayla.

Thank you in advance for your generosity. If you have any questions, please contact me at ladybugfoundation@xtra.co.nz or 0275257303.