Gracie is one of our very close friends and is like a sister to Callum, Oliver & Gareth.  She was diagnosed by her doctors with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 or "NF1" when she was just a few months old.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder of the nervous system which causes tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in the body at any time. NF is one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States (one in every 3,000 to 4,000 births).  THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE.  NF is a progressive disease and can affect people very differently. There are mild cases in which people have very few (if any) complications, while others may experience any number of complications related to NF such as:  disfigurement; blindness; skeletal abnormalities, brain and spinal tumors; loss of limbs, learning and developmental disabilities. 

Gracie is a happy, loving and active 5 year old.  She has recently developed a couple of tumors that are right now not giving her any trouble, but will be monitored closely.  In addition, Gracie has some other challenges including speech and development delays...however none of these stop her keeping up (and getting into mischief) with the boys!   It is hard to say what learning and/or physical challenges Gracie may be faced with as she gets older as this is a progressive disease.  We are hopeful that her case is mild, but are committed to doing everything we can to help her now and in the future!

Check out this short clip of Gracie - See Gracie 2010 online.  Thank you for visiting our fundraising page for Illinois Neurofibromatosis Inc! Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts. Please help us fund research to find a cure.  We appreciate your support!

 Kurt, Paula, Callum, Oliver & Gareth Keller