Run4Leah-CureNF

Team Leah Magic at the Buffalo Marathon!!

Some of our 40 Team Leah runners looking good before they depart on their Full or Half Marathon challenge to raise awareness and research funding for NF

 

Some of Team Leah's walkers from Saturday's 5K - Mitchell Shaw, Marybeth Shaw, Allie Eden, Laurie Eden & Betsey Boss

 

East Aurora's Sophie Gould looking strong in the 5K!

John Manth's student, Megan Stanley & her mom, Beth, are all smiles after 5K completed for Leah & others w/NF2 

Saturday's 5K Run4Leah Team

 

John Manth congratulates Chantelle Nobis and Anne Patterson on completing the Half Marathon with the Nobis family cheering section, Pete, Amelia, Hayden & Drake from Camden, NY 

We are sending out a heartfelt thank you to all of our runners, walkers, volunteers and donors this weekend!  Whether you took part in the 5k, half or full marathon, worked the Packet Pick-Up and/or made a donation, we appreciate your time, dedication and generous support of Run4Leah/CureNF.  With  your help, we have raised over $16,000 and hope to reach our goal of $30,000 as donations are still coming in!  (It's not too late to DONATE)

 

We raised much needed awareness and funds for Neurofibromatosis research programs to help find better treatments and ideally a cure for Leah and others with Neurofibromatosis - Type 2! 

 

The Manth family and the extended Manth and Patterson families could not do this without your support. Thank you so much for everything you do for Run4Leah/CureNF and we look forward to seeing you again next year!  

 

Our amazing volunteers rocked it at Packet Pick Up!  Set up was a breeze and supervising Committee Chair, Julie Mooney, kept the CureNF volunteers focused and all ensured an efficient and friendly experience for more than 7,000 race participants!

 

Set Up Crew: Anne Patterson (NF Regional Coordinator), Julie Mooney, Chris Manth, John Manth, Julia Patterson, Megan Patterson, Emily Patterson, Grace Mooney & Marybeth Shaw

 

East Aurora High Schoolers, Reagan Kavcic, Maya Mirsky,  Keira Kavcic

Julie Mooney, with Terri Devine and Carol Flaherty (volunteer and Half Marathoner!

Laurie Eden, Marybeth Shaw & Kellsie Mack

Megan & Nancy Patterson & Grace Mooney

 

Packet Pick Up Group Pics :

 

We couldn't do it without your loving support!  THANK YOU!!!

Dasher & Leah: An Awesome Team

Three more days of training, bonding and even graduating to overnight hotel stays...Dasher has been a very busy service dog and is becoming a true companion.  Leah and Linda have been amazed at his level of focus while "on duty and working" and have really  enjoyed getting to know him and having fun when he's on break and not working.  Dasher LOVES his play time, especially fetch and running free in a fenced in area near the hotel. 

Today included a fitting for his service vest and a field trip to the local Mall for more intense training, with Leah as primary handler.  They practiced with stairs, elevators, curious Mall patrons and maneuvering in crowds.  Dasher did a spectacular job!!  He now stays at the hotel each night and they have a full daily training schedule throughout the Memorial Day Weekend!

Leah and Linda send their love to all the CureNF/Run4Leah team members, runners, volunteers, donors, and sponsors participating in our annual fundraising event for NF Northeast through the Buffalo Marathon.

Leah Meets Dasher!!

 

It's been an exciting two days so far for Leah and her Mom, Linda! 

They hopped in the car on Sunday and headed to Paws for Ability's training center in Ohio to meet Leah's new service dog, Dasher, and participate in two weeks of intensive bonding and training.

  

Leah & Dasher

 

 

Linda, Leah & Dasher

 

They spent yesterday getting to know each other and receiving coaching in basic obedience training and rewards.   Today they focused on more obedience training and practiced dealing with a lot of distractions as well as proper heeling.  Dasher's already feeling a bond with Leah as he had a hard time returning to his trainers at the end of the day and even tried to follow Leah and Linda to their car!  Dasher will be very happy when he gets to have his first sleepover at the hotel with Leah & Linda tomorrow night.

Stay tuned in for more updates or drop by the CureNF Expo Booth at the Buffalo Marathon on Saturday and Sunday (5/26 & 5/27) to hear more about Linda, Leah & Dasher's adventure!

 

Team Leah & NF2 Need YOU!

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

 

 

Calling All Alumni & Newbie Volunteers, Runners & Donors:

 

If a half or full marathon is not in the cards for you, it's time to shake the dust off of your green CureNF t-shirt and walk, jog or run with Team Leah in the John Beishline Memorial 5K at the Buffalo Marathon on Saturday, May 26th at 8:30 a.m. 

 

Help us raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis and funding for critical research.  It's not too late...6 weeks and counting.

 

Here is the link to register for the 5K Race:

 

https://www.buffalomarathon.com/page-5k/

 

Note that the current registration rate of $30 will increase on May 1st to $35.

 

Be sure to also email our Team Leah coordinator, Anne Patterson, at run4leah@gmail.com if you plan on participating and we will add your name to Leah's Firstgiving FUNdraising page!  

 

Please help us reach our goal of 50 walkers/runners and $30,000!

 

We will have a NF2 cheering section and are looking forward to raising much needed awareness and research funds for Leah and others with Neurofibromatosis-Type 2. 

 

If you are unable to participate, kindly consider making a tax deductible donation at the following link:

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/run4leah/2018

 

Together we make a difference in the fight against NF!

 

Advocating on the Hill for NF2

It was another successful trip to Capitol Hill for patient advocates representing CureNF and the NF Network.  Leah and her mom, Linda Manth, made the journey together with sister, Erin Manth and additional relatives Anne Patterson and Jenny Sawyer.  The group representing New York and Georgia joined up with numerous advocates representing Neurofibromatosis patients and families from across the United States as part of the NF Network's annual visit to Washington, D.C.  They spent two days meeting with Congressmen and women as well as their staffers, to build awareness about Americans challenged with Neurofibromatosis and formally request continued federal funding for Neurofibromatosis research and treatment options including promising new drug trials.

 

J. Sawyer, L. Manth, L. Manth & A. Patterson

 

A. Patterson & J. Sawyer await their meeting w/ Senator Gillibrand

 

J. Sawyer, L. Manth, L. Manth, M. Shaw, E. Manth and A. Patterson enjoy some sightseeing in DC

 

We Want You on our 2018 Run4Leah Team!

 

Just eleven weeks until our leading fundraiser - The Buffalo Marathon:  Sunday, May 27th!

Help us reach our fundraising goal of $30,000 for NF2 research and awareness.

You can participate:

• as a racer - choose the 5K on Saturday May 26th, or the full marathon or half-marathon on Sunday, May 27th
• volunteer on either race day
• be a donor and/or sponsor a racer
• raise funds by soliciting donations from friends, family, colleagues and local businesses

Be a  part of our Memorial Day weekend tradition of raising awareness and funds for Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2)

 

To Join our Run4Leah Team @ the Buffalo Marathon:

Step 1)  Contact our Run4Leah Team Coordinator:

Anne Patterson
run4leah@gmail.com
716-655-3630

Step 2)  Register for the Race (you need to do this directly yourself)

https://www.buffalomarathon.com/newregistration/

Step 3) Start Training!

Help our racers reach their suggested fundraising goals:  $1000 for Relay Teams and $250 for individual racers!

Secure on-line donations can be made here:
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/run4leah/2018

For mail in donations:

Make checks payable to "NF Inc., Northeast" Note "Manth/Run4Leah" in the memo line.   Please mail checks to David Manth, 2922 Walck Drive, North Tonawanda, NY 14120. 

Donations can also be turned in at our Run4Leah/Cure NF Booth during the Buffalo Marathon Expo (at the Convention Center) on Saturday and Sunday!

All donations are tax-deductible and will receive a 501(c)(3) receipt from NF Northeast, Inc.

 

Help us reach our fundraising goal of $30,000 for NF2 research and awareness.

You can participate:

• as a racer - choose the 5K on Saturday May 26th, or the full marathon or half-marathon on Sunday, May 27th
• volunteer on either race day
• be a donor and/or sponsor a racer
• raise funds by soliciting donations from friends, family, colleagues and local businesses

Be a  part of our Memorial Day weekend tradition of raising awareness and funds for Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2)

 

To Join our Run4Leah Team @ the Buffalo Marathon:

Step 1)  Contact our Run4Leah Team Coordinator:

Anne Patterson
run4leah@gmail.com
716-655-3630

Step 2)  Register for the Race (you need to do this directly yourself)

https://www.buffalomarathon.com/newregistration/

Step 3) Start Training!

Help our racers reach their suggested fundraising goals:  $1000 for Relay Teams and $250 for individual racers!

Secure on-line donations can be made here:
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/run4leah/2018

For mail in donations:

Make checks payable to "NF Inc., Northeast" Note "Manth/Run4Leah" in the memo line.   Please mail checks to David Manth, 2922 Walck Drive, North Tonawanda, NY 14120. 

Donations can also be turned in at our Run4Leah/Cure NF Booth during the Buffalo Marathon Expo (at the Convention Center) on Saturday and Sunday!

All donations are tax-deductible and will receive a 501(c)(3) receipt from NF Northeast, Inc.

 

Our Tenth Successful Run4Leah Marathon!

Dear Run4Leah/CureNF Runners, Volunteers & Donors:

The finish line is packed away, runners times are posted, extra t-shirts are boxed up, and many of your bib numbers and finishing medals have been tucked away as a keepsake or proudly displayed as a reminder of your accomplishments!

 

On May 27th, over 4,000 runners participated in the 2017 Buffalo Marathon and once again, our Run4Leah team members sported green CureNF t-shirts and volunteered at water stations, packet pickup and /or completed half or full marathons in honor of Leah. Your efforts and those of our supporting donors help spread awareness, and raise much needed research funding for Neurofibromatosis-Type 2 (NF2).  Your loyalty and persaverence over the last ten years has been remarkable and heartwarming to Leah and her family. It has even gained the attention of the NF2 community nationwide.  

 

We want to say "thank you" for your time, teamwork, and dedication to Run4Leah/CureNF, Leah and the extended Manth family over the past decade!  You helped us raise nearly $20,000 through this year's Buffalo Marathon participation - that's more than one third of our 2017 fundraising goal of $50,000.  

 

Together we can make a difference!

 

Check out some photos from this year's Buffalo Marathon

 

Leah & ten year Run4Leah team member Bev Walter

 

Desiree Doucette meets up with Leah after completing her first half marathon

 

Ten year Run4Leah team members Anne Patterson and Pat Dalton head for the finish line with Debbi Miller waving to the camera!

 

Leah thanks ten year team members Anne Patterson and Lisa Hoffman during Saturday's Expo

 

Mark Walk heads to the half marathon finish line with Leah Gath in close pursuit!

 

Leah shares her appreciation with the Oar Family at Saturday's Packet Pick-up 

 

 

 

Water Station #23, chaired by the Manth's extended family & friends hydrate runners for their 10th year !

 

North Tonawanda Lumberjack supporters cheering on Run4Leah team members

 

The early risers pose for a 6am pre-race photo! 

 

One Week and Counting - Show Your Support Today!

 

We are just one week away from Marathon Weekend and our runners are coming through the home stretch with their spring training efforts!   Get involved and show your support by donating today via our secure Firstgiving website: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/run4leah/2017

 

Share the link with colleagues, family and friends and don't forget to notify your Company of your charitable donation if they have a matching program.  

 

It's our 10th Anniversary fundraising for Leah, May is NF Awareness Month and our goal is $50,000! This money has always gone and will continue to go directly towards funding scientific research to help find a cure for Leah and others with NF2.  We are currently closing in on $14,000, just $36,000 shy of our goal for 2017!

If you have already donated, thank you so much for your generosity in making Run4Leah/Cure NF a success!

 

Happy 17th Leah!!

MAY is NF Awareness Month and May 6th is Leah's 17th Birthday!

Leah has spent 10 years, more than half her life, dealing with Neurofibromatosis Type 2. NF2 is a genetic neurological condition where tumors develop on nerves, in the brain and/or along the spinal cord. Since being diagnosed ten years ago Leah has endured 13 major surgeries and many more small surgeries and procedures. She is deaf in one ear, has balance issues, facial paralysis and has had a spinal fusion, but none of these things hold her back.  Leah is determined not let NF2 define her, or her life, and continues to pursue her many passions; running, hunting, fishing, cooking and spending time with family and friends.  Less than two weeks since her last surgical procedure and Leah walked a 5K with her dad John this weekend, to honor her late grandma, Adelaide Manth, who passed away due to cancer and later today, Leah will give an Accordion recital.  Not your typical post surgery recovery!!

If you would like to honor Leah for her birthday, or in recognition of May being NF Awareness Month, please consider using the Firstgiving link in the lefthand  navigation bar of this blog.  Just click "DONATE", and you will be directed to the secure Firstgiving website.   All proceeds will go towards NF2 research, hoping for better treatment options for Leah and others living with NF2.

As always, thank you for your support!

Heading Back to School

Post - Op Update #4, Monday May, 1st

Leah returned to school today.  She'll have to lay low and miss a couple weeks of track practice, while remaining on a soft food diet and Tylenol as her throat continues to heal.  Although still a bit tired, Leah feels pretty good overall.

Much appreciation for all the prayers and well wishes!