Thank you for visiting our fundraising page!

                                   

 

As many of you already know, our dearest 12 year old daughter Ali was diagnosed in June, 2007 with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). NF2 is a rare neurological disorder that causes tumors to grow due to the lack of a protein that suppresses tumor growth. Though they are benign, people with NF2 can develop these tumors in the brain, spinal cord and throughout the body. As the tumors grow and press on the nerves, it can lead to deafness, balance issues, vision impairment, seizures, paralysis and sometimes life-threatening conditions. Currently, the only treatment for children with NF2 is surgical removal which poses great risk, so we need to find a cure for NF2!

 

On Jan. 29, 2008, Ali underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her right ear. While the facial and auditory nerve were left intact, she still lost the hearing in that ear. Currently, she has a tumor in her left ear which is being carefully watched and she has three other tumors in her brain as well as a multitude of spinal tumors. Every MRI brings the threat of tumor growth or new tumor development.

 

While there is some research being done today specifically for NF2, there needs to be lots more so that we can wipe this disease out during Ali’s lifetime! Inaction is NOT an option so we are resolved to do all we can to raise awareness and therefore funds for NF2 research. Our team, Ali's Gaitors, will participate in both Great Steps for NF walks this year: June 6, 2009 at Naperville's Riverwalk and June 20, 2009 at Effingham's Community Park. We honor Ali by our involvement in these fundraising efforts but we also walk as a tribute to our many new friends in the NF2 community and in memory of those we have lost to the disease. Please honor all of them by contributing to NF research to stop tumor growth from destroying more lives.

Donating online is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts. However, if you would rather donate offline, please go to this webpage and print out a donor form http://nfmidwest.org/files/Donor_Form.pdf. Fill it out and be sure to include “Didier Family/Ali’s Gaitors” as the Participant/Family Name and “Team #916” as the Participant Number. Then mail in your donation to NF Inc. Midwest, PO Box 1923, Lombard, IL 60148. Donations sent in before the date of the walk (June 20) count towards our fundraising challenge (Top Ten Fundraisers) but ALL donations (regardless of when they are received) go towards NF2 research and support of NF families.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

May God bless you for your generosity,

 

The Didier Family: Mark, Laura, Sam and Ali