Take the Challenge-Take Charge!

The NMF is launching the I [heart] the NMF Teen Challenge to give young people an opportunity to prove they have what it takes to take charge of NMF teen programs...by raising funds and awareness on a very adult level.

Long time teen program supporter and former NMF Board of Directors member, Chris Heaney will donate $28,000 to the NMF if the teen community can raise $28,000 by August 1, 2012. That means you could raise $56,000 for NMF programs that help people like you living with Marfan syndrome and related disorders while competing for awesome prizes including a Kindle Fire, Nintendo 3DS, and Apple ipod Nano 16 GB.

Why $28,000, Chris Heaney explains:

I had my aortic valve replaced in Dec. of 1984 under challenging circumstances and I'm lucky to have survived. I was 28 years old. Dec. 2012 will mark the 28th anniversary of that surgery-I will have lived as long with my artificial heart valve as I did before I had surgery, 28 years. I've come to think of this milestone as my cardiac equinox.

Why challenge the teen community, Chris Heaney explains:

I'd like teens to see themselves the way I see them-powerful, capable, caring, engaged, enthusiastic, influential.

I'd like to see them work together to accomplish something beyond themselves and help each other to step up and do more than they thought they could. I'd like to see them own a place for making a difference in the Marfan community. For many , the Teen Group has been a gift that's been provided to them, I'd like them to take ownership in perpetuating and building it.  I'd like them to see they're capable of playing at that level.

Raise Awareness, Raise Funds, Compete for Prizes!

It gets better. The 3 teens who raise the most money will win these awesome prizes.

1st Prize: Kindle Fire

2nd Prize: Nintendo 3DS in Flame Red

3rd Prize: Apple iPod Nano 16 GB

So how does it work?

If you're between the ages of 13 and 19 and are affected by Marfan syndrome or a related disorder, or are related to someone who is affected by Marfan syndrome or a related disorder, you're eligible to compete.

The first thing to do is plan your fundraiser. There are lots of things you can do, from providing a service such as babysitting, dog walking or house cleaning and donating the funds to the NMF to organizing a bake sale, garage sale or selling handmade crafts or collecting change at school or church or asking friends and family to make a donation to the NMF in lieu of presents for your birthday or another occasion. The possibilities are endless! Need help choosing a fundraising idea or organizing your event? Contact the NMF's Local Fundraising Coordinator, Cathie Tsuchiya, at fundraise@marfan.org.

Your fundraiser should have two goals; to raise awareness about Marfan syndrome and related disorders and to raise funds to help people just like you.

Sound like a challenge? It is ! And there's a deadline: August 1, 2012

Contest Rules

Every contest has rules. Here are ours:

The contest runs from February 2012 to August 1, 2012.

All teens13 to 19 years old who are part of the Marfan syndrome and related disorders community , including unaffected family members (exs. siblings, cousins, etc.), are eligible to compete.

Funds received after August 1st, 2012 will not be counted towards the I Heart the NMF Teen Challenge and will not be eligible towards the 3 prizes.

For funds received by the NMF to be counted towards the I Heart the NMF Teen Challenge, checks and cash received by the NMF must be accompanied by a letter/note stating that these funds are for the I Heart the NMF Teen Challenge and must also say the name of the teen who raised the funds or the name of the teen the funds are being donated in honor of. Donations given directly through the I Heart the NMF Firstgiving fundraising page must state in the comments which teen raised the funds or which teen the donation is being made in honor of for the funds to be counted towards winning any of the 3 prizes. All checks, cash and funds received through the Firstgiving page will be tallied on August 2nd the day after the contest officially ends, August 1st. The 3 teens who raise the most funds will receive the 3 prizes. The teen who raises the most funds will receive the Kindle Fire. The teen who raises the second most funds will receive the Nintendo 3DS and the teen who raises the 3rd most funds will receive the iPod Nano. Prize winners will be announced at the NMF’s Annual Conference in Chicago on Sunday August 5th, 2012 at the Farewell Luncheon. Prize winners do not have to be present to receive their prize. Prizes will be mailed to winners who are not present.

Show Your Support: Show your support by showing us your heart hands!

Send us a photo of you "hearting the NMF" and we'll post it on our online Teen Space. Email photos to jbuffone@marfan.org

For More Information

Visit www.marfan.org