May Is Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month
Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Month occurs throughout May. It’s a time to spread awareness about NF, its community and to fund important research for effective treatments. If you don’t know about NF, May is the perfect time to learn more and to spread your newly-acquired knowledge to your community!
What Is Neurofibromatosis?
NF, categorized into three separate disorders: NF1, NF2 and Schwannamatosis, causes nerves all around the body to grow tumors. The most common form, NF1, is found in 1 of every 3,000 births. About half of the NF community develops the disorder through a random genetic change. The others inherit it from their parents. People with the two most common forms of the disorder, NF1 and NF2, have a 50 percent chance of giving it to their kids.
Tumors throughout the body caused by NF are usually not malignant, but they can cause other issues when they grow in the brain, on the spine or against body tissue. As of now, there is no known cure, and the third type of NF, Schwannamatosis, has very little known information. Promising developments, studies and research are in the works for NF, however. When it comes to NF affecting children, the symptoms have a wide range of mild to severe. While some kids barely notice their NF, others can be severely disabled.
NF Awareness Month
There is no better time than NF Awareness Month to spread awareness in unique ways in your community. After you have learned more about NF, you can start showing your support by shining blue and green lights. You may notice blue and green lights on monuments and bridges throughout your area. If someone asks you about your lights or the lights in your city, you can tell them about NF! Of course, attending local events, getting your mayor and city council involved, and spreading awareness through word of mouth are also excellent ways to support the cause to cure NF.
Support Local Kids
Whether kids are suffering from NF or any other critical illness, their quality of life and motivation can be negatively impacted. Make-A-Wish helps these kids live their dreams, and helps give them the motivation and happiness they need to keep going during hard times. Perhaps the easiest and most effective way to support the Make-A-Wish effort is to donate your unwanted car or any other vehicle to Wheels For Wishes.
Wheels For Wishes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping make dreams come true for local children with critical illnesses. We offer free towing, and the maximum tax deduction to use on your 1098-c while filling out taxes! Your donation of that car sitting in your driveway or garage can make the largest difference in the life of a local kid!
To donate today, call 1-855-278-9474 or fill out an online donation form.
