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Magic happens in these kind of runs.
Last year at the San Francisco Marathon it was meeting the Fisch family, and it was their words of encouragement that planted the seeds for my family to not feel sorry for ourselves and break out and do something positive.
This year was no different. At mile 20, when I felt like I was hurting and cramping, a guy came up to me and started running with me for a while, then passed me up, turned around and stopped. He started to take a photo of me. After I came up to him, he told me that he had a friend who had someone in his family who has NF; he never knew that we had the NF Endurance team. I told him to look us up on ctf.org, and after he thanked me, he told me to have a good run.
After that, the pain just magically went way. The second time was at the end, when my thigh cramp came back, and that is when Steve came up with me. He gave me words of encouragement for the end of the race. I was hurting and frustrated, and I could not see the finish, but Steve kept me focused. At that moment, I pictured my 13-year-old son Robby, sprinting to the end of his first 10K this year. I told myself to do the same for Robby, Leticia, Marcus, and other folks who have NF. The strength from others just makes us stronger.
Leticia and Robby are such an inspiration. Leticia was paralyzed in her late 20s, and when they took out the tumor from her spine, the doctors told her that she would not have full strength in her legs, and perhaps have trouble even walking. As we run, we keep in mind Paul Fisch’s words about the mind, and how very important it is to keep those “positive spirits;” it will take both the physical (dollars), and mental (words), to get us through this hurdle of NF in our lives.
SAN FRAN
From the early morning smells of sourdough bread baking…to the sun setting over the bay, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett sang that it’s easy to leave your heart in San Francisco. On Sunday NFE runners, led by co-captains Josh Thieriot and Cathie Leys, will put their hearts on the course for NF Heroes in the San Francisco Marathon. Steve Kendra will be staffing the event. The San Francisco Marathon is unique because it offers two half marathons, one marathon, a progressive marathon and a 5K. The NFE San Fran Team has raised more than $17,500. You can help them meet their goal by donating here.
RESEARCH
Check out Dr. Kim Hunter-Schaedle’s thoughts on Avastin and Breast Cancer on the Foundation’s blog this week. In the news this week, a Food and Drug Administration advisory recommended that the drug Avastin (bevacizumab), the best selling product of Roche, have its 2008 approval for advanced breast cancer treatment revoked. (Read more).
BUTTAR BUDDIES
Tracy Draper has helped NFE partner with Buttar.com, a race organization for events such as triathlons. Tracy recently competed in the Moss Park Tri in Orlando, Fla., and placed fourth in her age group. She is pictured here with her daughter, Suzie.
Active Fundraising Page of the Week Monica Hattoon-Green Why we like it: Monica’s clean design allows the viewer to clearly get the message: little Maria, a family friend, has NF and could really use a cure. She succinctly describes what NF is and what can happen when symptoms manifest. She also directs viewers to learn more about research advancements by using “Team Fundraising Dollars at Work.”
CELEBRATE
Check out some of Active.com’s Fourth of July ideas to make the holiday weekend full of fit fun.
- Eat Healthy at Your Summer Barbecue
- Fourth of July Races – The Fourth of July happens to also be a popular race day for many runners. More than 55,000 runners will fill the streets of Atlanta at the AJC Peachtree Road Race. To find a race near you, click here.
FLASH
Check out photos from last weekend’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Seattle. NFE raised more than $33,000 for NF research. They are also on flickr.com/NFEndurance.
SKIRT
Earlier this year, Skirt! magazine featured Candice Patterson. Check out this followup Q&A on Candice published this week; she continues to inspire us with her resilience and dedication.
CAMP
Did you know that CTF has a summer camp each year for kids who have NF? The camp, located in Emigration Canyon, Utah, offers activities such as swimming, horseback riding, campfires, climbing, fishing and camp outings. For more information, please contact Patrice Pancza ((Enable Javascript to see the email address)). Check out this video about what makes this camp memorable for campers.
Active Page of the Week Team Noah Why we like it: Even though the Tyrybon’s are fundraising for Disney 2011, they keep their page up-to-date with fundraising events. If you are in the Michigan area in July, be sure to check out their golf outing on July 24th and their fourth annual Concert for Noah on July 30th. Our favorite reason about their fundraising page? The picture of their little rockstar, Noah!
Save the Date: Upcoming July Events
- Sunday, July 11, 2010 – NF Picnic, Sellersville, Pa. (for more info, click here)
- Saturday, July 17 – Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (for more info, click here); NF Carnival, New York, N.Y., (read more)
- Sunday, July 18, 2010 -Green Bay Connected for a Cure NF Walk, Green Bay, Wis., (read more)
- Sunday, July 25, 2010 – San Francisco Marathon, San Francisco, Calif., (for more info, click here)
- Friday, July 30, 2010 – Concert for Noah, Wynadotte, Mich., (for more info, click here)
- Saturday, July 31, 2010 – Bowling4Bumps, Brooklawn, N.J. (for more info visit Bowling4Bumps on Facebook); Izzy’s Backyard Carnival, Paw Paw, Mich., (read more)
SAN FRAN
BUTTAR BUDDIES
