The Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF) is excited to announce a significant investment of over $888,000 in research focused on neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and all forms of schwannomatosis (SWN), including NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN).
Judy Russo's daughter Catherine lived with NF1 and, at the age of 45, was diagnosed with breast cancer ... We are honored to share Catherine Russo's Story of NF ... She did make him aware of her NF, but that never caused the doctor to become alarmed.
A nurse noticed all of Norah's CALs and referred us to dermatology, where we discussed the likelihood of NF or similar diagnoses. It was a lot of information to take in while keeping our emotions on hold.
But I remember growing up and going to the hospital once a year to get MRIs of my brain and spine ... I remember having a possibility of having scoliosis and what that would look like to fix that.
Both of whom died of NF-related issues ... I was stricken with grief and NF health challenges at the same time ... I feel that it is important that I keep my creative mind alive so I can do my best to journal for myself and the benefit of others with NF.
My mom was a Medical assistant and had a patient with neurofibromatosis, so she knew a little bit about NF, so she got a medical book ...Living with NF is really hard ... I am blind in one of my eyes.
It was the most challenging day of my life, to be honest ... That was a BIGSHOCK! None of my family has NF2-SWN; does that make me special? Huh, I don't know, maybe yes! ... It hurts me more than any symptom of NF and any pain. And there's a lot of pain.
I remember lots of tests coming after that. Lots of trips to children's hospitals, seeing a geneticist, MRIs. I felt weird knowing I was the only person in my family with NF ... It wasn't until I was 13 that I found NF camp.
I was diagnosed in 2020 at the age of 23 ... I was frustrated with all of my doctors growing up AND my dermatologist for not catching it sooner. I recently (end of 2022) gave birth to my son who also has NF1.
As an adult, I've suffered through adult bullies both in the workplace and random strangers who like to yell out hurtful things, people thinking I'm dangerous or someone to be afraid of, avoided, and often stared at.
Growing up with NF, I lived in a lot of pain (still do) but then I didn't know what it meant or why I was feeling it, until I was older and could understand it better ...Living with NF impacts my life on a daily basis ... It's just one part of me.
As a family, we had never heard of NF and came across Children's Tumor Foundation after searching for information online ... Throughout Owen's lifetime we've participated in CTF events to raise funds and awareness all in honor of our favorite NF hero.
My mom has told me how I got NF and it was when I was born, probably when the days were passing by she was worried she didn't know know what it was, the doctors checked me and told her that I had NF ... To get rid of NF forever.