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Lesley Oslica knows first hand the uncertainty that NF brings as her daughter Katie has NF1. Lesley and her entire family participate on the NF Endurance Team. From biking across America to rallying runners in Little Rock, the Oslica’s work hard to spread awareness about NF. In 2010 Lesley served as team captain for two events in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon and the Little Rock Marathon.
Meet Lesley
Lesley and Connie Oslica participate in multiple NF Endurance Events each year in support of their daughter Katie.
How many races you have done? 11 half marathons, 4 full marathons, and coached at seven NFET events.
What is your race mantra? If the kids have to endure living with NF, I can endure to the finish line; run/walk/crawl…whatever it takes!
Favorite postrun meal: Pizza and some bubbly liquid carb replacements
What does Endurance mean to you?Endurance…just as Webster’s might say…the ability to continue despite adverse conditions; bearing pain, hardships. The true witness of endurance is seen in so many of the heroes living with NF. Kids enduring chemo, parents enduring watching their child suffer through every MRI, blood tests, wearing back braces, surgeries, rehab, etc. And, the ultimate endurance…people with NF facing the end of their journey with bravery and determination, to leave a legacy for those who come behind them. They endure – and leave a permanent impression on our hearts. The compassionate people on the NF Endurance Team endure different struggles…blisters, fatigue, muscle cramps, torn muscles, tendons, etc. But, we endure so that all those who suffer with NF might have a brighter future. If we can’t do the research, we can hopefully at least fund it and raise awareness of NF to help gain support.
What is on your must do race list?If I have one thing on my must do list…it would be to get a team together for RAAM so that my husband could ride RAAM (and me be a crew member). Participating in RAAM in any capacity was an incredible experience. I don’t know if it’s the sleep deprivation or witnessing our riders hammering those pedals for over 3,000 miles (or a combo of both)…but whatever the case, RAAM is truly representative of Endurance! If we are talking race as in marathons, NYC [Marathon] is one that I’m going to have to experience one of these days; the crowd, the city, the other runners…I can’t imagine the feeling of being a part of something so big.
PICNIC
Join Steve and Judy Kendra and several NFE Staff Members for the annual NF Picnic on Sunday, July 11, 2010 in Sellersville, Pa., for an afternoon of swimming, delicious food and fun activities. For more information, and to RSVP, e-mail Trish ((Enable Javascript to see the email address)).
READ It’s worth the time to read Candice Patterson’s inspiring article, “Some Assembly Required,” on More.com. Candice wrote the article for More magazine’s One Amazing Thing contest. Candice heads up the Butterfly Challenge to support the Foundation, and she constantly looks for ways to use her life to help others. A heads up from Candice: some articles in her Butterfly Challenge Journals include adult language.
NFE XTREME
Check out photos from NFE XTREME at the Ironman France on June 26, 2010 in Nice.
Photos by Chad Leathers.
RUNCATION
Why not make your next marathon a destination to remember? Plan your next family vacation around one of these great race cities. To see more, click here.
SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Marathon • July 25, 2010 CHICAGO – Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon • Aug. 1, 2010
Bank of America Chicago Marathon • Oct. 10, 2010 VIRGINIA BEACH – Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon • Sept. 5, 2010 PHILADELPHIA • Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon • Sept. 19, 2010 TWIN CITIES – Twin Cities Marathon • Oct. 3, 2010 PORTLAND – Portland Marathon & Half Marathon • Oct. 10, 2010 DENVER – Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon • Oct. 17, 2010 NEW YORK – ING New York Marathon • Nov. 7, 2010 SAN ANTONIO – Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 • Nov. 14, 2010 ORLANDO – Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend • January 2011
TAKE 5
Click here for five great reasons to invest in the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Try incorporating Dr. Kim Hunter-Schaedle’s reasons into your fundraising letters and show donors how their dollars can make a difference. Also, you can follow the Foundation blog regularly for many scientific insights on NF research advancements.
Active Page of the Week: It’s hard to keep up with Roxanne Thomas — she seems to always be training, running in an event, or planning an activity to help spread awareness about NF. However, Roxanne’s Active giving page brings all of her activities together in a fun, festive way. Roxanne has run several 5Ks this summer, and she has been busy planning a “Hot Undies Run” with her daughter Carissa on Aug. 21, 2010 in Houston, Texas.
As she stood on the San Diego course at miles four and eight, Melisa Callison felt the energy and excitement from the runners and spectators as she waited for her friend Dawn to pass. “For the first time I was able to see the leader runners pass by at lightening speed,” said Melissa, who has NF1 and runs with a prosthesis. “I realized how much I want to continue running.”
Due to a surgery in March, she had to withdraw from the San Diego Marathon, but there was no way Melisa would miss watching her friend Dawn cross the finish line of her first marathon. Dawn finished in 5:12:26, running for her daughter, Ava, who like Melisa, also has NF1.
Melisa recently attended a BBQ at Dawn’s house where there were three families with children with NF1. Two of the young girls have below-the-knee amputations and wear prosthetic legs. “It was good for them to meet each other and for them to see me, a grown-up who has prosthesis.” Melisa hopes to be able to spend more time with these girls as a role model, even though they are the ones inspiring her to get back to her running.”I have completed two 5k races, and I am slowly building back my stamina and endurance,” said Melisa.
Melisa has registered for the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon on Oct. 3, 2010, and she will be running on behalf of the fabulous four — a little group of four girls, with big hearts, who all share a journey ahead with NF. “I will endure so they and others like them don’t have to,” said Melisa. “I run for them because they can’t.”
Melisa has set a fundraising goal of $3,000, which will go toward research to lead to treatment and someday a cure for NF. “You never know whose dollar it will be that finds the cure,” said Melisa.
To read more about Melisa or make a donation to help the Fabulous Four, please visit Melisa’s fundraising page.
It’s hard to keep up with Roxanne Thomas — she seems to always be training, running in an event, or planning an activity to help spread awareness about NF. However, 