Run4Leah-CureNF

Run4Leah Race Weekend Update

Who is ready to run? T-7 days until race day!  We have made it to 100 runners! 14 relay teams, 37 half marathoners, and 8 full marathoners - and the numbers are growing by the day. There is no question that we will be raising awareness for NF2 at this years Buffalo Marathon!!!

We are only at 29% of our fundraising goal of $26,000 and we need your help - please remember to direct sponsors to Leah's Firstgiving website at:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/run4leah/buffalo-marathon

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Donations:

All donations, cash and checks (made payable to NF Inc. Northeast) can be turned in at the NF Booth during the Expo (at the Convention Center) on Sat. May 26th 9a.m-4p.m

Packet Pick-up:
Only the teams that Run4Leah has created need to pick up their packets at the NF Booth - all other runners pick up at the official" Packet Pick-up" at the Expo.
Cure NF t-shirts will be available at the NF Booth - please stop by if you haven't already received one.

Race Day:

Our annual Group Photo will take place at 6:30 a.m. behind the Hyatt @ the corner of Main St. and Huron St. We hope you can make it!!!!

Timing Chip: All runners will be wearing a timing chip.
The race starts promptly at 7:00 a.m. It is recommended that all relay runners be present at the beginning of the race, and then take the appropriate bus to their destination. Buses will depart from Pearl St. next to the Hyatt at approximately 6:45 a.m. Buses are also available to bring the relay runners back to the finish after they complete their leg.


THANK YOU for all your time and effort in making Run4Leah/Cure NF a success! Together we make a difference!!

Have a great run on Sunday-

Anne Patterson
run4leah@gmail.com

2012 Run4Leah/CureNF Team Forming for Buffalo Marathon

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! TO RUN/WALK IN THE BUFFALO MARATHON ON SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2012:

You can Run the full marathon- 26.2 miles;  Run or Walk a half marathon -13.1 miles or Run 6-7mi as part of a 4 person Relay Team.

For more information on how to register, please contact Anne Marie Patterson at run4leah@gmail.com

Help us reach 100 runners/walkers!

If each participant can raise $260.00 in sponsorships, we would meet our $26,000 Goal!

There is still 5 WEEKS to train ---Join our team today!

2012 Confirmed Runners to Date:

Full Marathon: Andrea Hutton, Jennifer McGuire, Todd Walter

Half Marathon: Danielle Cherry, Matt Cherry,Mark Cieslinski,Patrick Dalton, Brittany Dombrowski, Scott Eden, Denise Fisher, Amy Gould, Caitlin Hart, Alan Jaenecke, Debbie Kavcic, Kelly Kloc, Duff Maloney, Tom Mooney, Anne Patterson, Dan Patterson, Derek Weaver, Becky Freeman, Gillian Driscoll, Mitch Mirsky, Ken Eckhert, TJ Jones, Vanessa Kasperek, Marybeth Shaw

Relay Teams: Sandy Bauerschmidt, Tracy Ensminger, Susan Lauber, Mia Markello, Jay DaPerno, Kim DaPerno, Sarah Tasker, Steve Tasker, Mark Walck, Mindy Walck, Megan, Machoby, Taylor Wienke, Adam Burgess, Janine Reinagel, Zach Boyce, Jay Smith, Erik Babiarski, James Walsh, Katie Kolpack, Matt Skea, Shannon McCooey, John Manth, Teddy Young, Russ Wojciechowski, Jenna Blachura, Brandi Williams 

Don't Miss it - Leah's Sister Erin, Posts a Video Story

To learn more about Leah's story since her diagnosis in 2007 with NF2, please take a few minutes to listen to big sister Erin's message...and hear from Leah herself in the final clip!

http://nfnetwork.org/blog/view/nf-advocacy-video/

Note:  Click "Watch Video" and wait for it to load, and hit "play" icon.

Thanks for listening!

 

 

 

Adelaide Made a Difference!

Adelaide Manth (right above & left below), grandma to Leah Joy was laid to rest today, January 26, 2012 at the age of 73. 

At her service, her eight grandchildren lead the gathering of family and friends in a tribute by singing the song they often sang to their dear grandma, "You Are My Sunshine".  The NF2 community and Run4 Leah/Cure NF will sorely miss Adelaide's volunteer efforts and dedication to raising awareness for Neurofibromatosis.  Raffles, registration tables, golf tournaments, spaghetti dinners and Buffalo Marathon packet pickup and water stations are just a few of the places you could find Ade's smiling face and "ready to help" attitude.

It certainly won't be the same with out her, but she showed us all how one person CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

NCIS' Abby Loves Leah's Costume!

"Pauley absolutely LOVED your costume! She had me take this pic for comparison. Very spot-on!", said Chris Walid, writer for NCIS and a Manth family friend from the NCIS set in California.  One day Leah hopes to make it out to California to meet Chris and Pauley in person!  Leah enjoyed her first week back at school and continues to recover from her surgery nearly 4 weeks ago.

Also in November, members of the Run4Leah Team completed the NYC Marathon in support of the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF) who, like NF Inc Northeast, raises awareness and research funding for Neurofibromatosis.  Exceeding their fundraising goal of $12,500; Tom Mooney, Anne Patterson, Dan Patterson, Carol Flaherty and Deb Kavcik completed what for many was their first marathon!  Carol, a marathoning veteran, lead the pack finishing in 4:20, while running companion Stacey Oar finished up at 4:30 and the remaining group at 5:30. Simply fantastic.  Numerous training injuries ranging from knee & back issues to a concussion were overcome and all ran across the finish line and still had enough energy to go out and celebrate afterwords!

A great big "THANK YOU" to all of the team's sponsors and family members who supported many a long training run on weekends!

 

 

A Little Halloween

An update for all of our loyal Blog followers...

Since returning from the hospital Leah has been busy gaining strength and mobility/range of motion in her neck.  She was able to go to school for a short while to celebrate the Halloween Parade with her teachers and classmates.  On Halloween night, she even Trick-or-Treated for a few hours.  She was Abby from NCIS- the computer savy researcher with all the facts!

 

 

Happy to be Home!

Leah said good-bye to "wild & crazy hair" as the Doctor gave her the okay that her incision was healed enough to tolerate a shower.  To top off the day, you can see she enjoyed a visit from her teacher, Mrs. Silverberg, who surprised Leah with a cake showing a picture of her whole class wishing her well & a speedy return to school!  Very cool...

See Ya Hospital!

Leah heading home Sunday evening!

Day #4 Post-Op

Turned the Corner Saturday!!

Leah had a teriific day Saturday--No headaches and was able to take several walks, visit the play room and enjoy some short visits from her cousins, aunts & uncles.  Her appetite still hasn't come back and from the photo you can see her IV is still in, but she is getting stronger every day.  The hospital play room is all decorated for halloween and lots for pumpkins have been given silly faces by the kids.  If all continues to be good Saturday night and Sunday morning, Leah hopes she will be able to go home Sunday or Monday, at the latest!

Post Op - Day#3

Friday was up & down for Leah.  She was out of bed & visited the play room, ate a bit more but didn't drink enough and was put back on IV fluids to prevent dehydration. By mid afternoon she had developed a terrible headache that placed her back on the morphine and into bed.  After a good rest, she perked up by 8pm and was able to get a good night's sleep.

Saturday morning wake up report is good--no return headache and enjoyed a decent breakfast!  Looking forward to feeling better and being able to read more blog comments, play some cards and take a few more walks today.  If she can keep her fluid in-take up, the IV will come back out today.

 

Wild & Crazy Hair Day!