Introduction

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="044d4c03.jpg"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Gallery"><IMG SRC="2c97c1c0.jpg" border=0 width="124" height="28" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Latest Research"><IMG SRC="064791f0.jpg" border=0 width="121" height="31" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Help find a cure!"><IMG SRC="06a791b0.jpg" border=0 width="121" height="27" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact me"><IMG SRC="06c791a0.jpg" border=0 width="121" height="26" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.pbgs2.com/cgi-bin/guestbook.cgi" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.pbgs2.com/cgi-bin/guestbook.c"><IMG SRC="0597a1f0.jpg" border=0 width="122" height="31" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC33" FACE="Arial" ><B>NF TEAM</B></FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Arial" >   |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NF TEAM">home</A></FONT></div> <div> <B>Introduction</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mission">Mission</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Neurofibromatosis?">What is Neurofibromatosis?</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact me">Contact me</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Help find a cure!">Help find a cure!</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Latest Research">Latest Research</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Event Sponsors Page">Event Sponsor's Page</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links">Related Links</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Updates on Shannon">Updates on Shannon</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Upcoming Events">Upcoming Events</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Gallery">Photo Gallery</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NF Heroes">NF Heroes</A></div> <div> Introduction</div> <div> Welcome to the Race For NF Research web site. My name is Darryl Chene and I have an nine-year-old cousin (Shannon) who has a condition called Neurofibromatosis. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Brief history on Shannon:</U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" > It all started with just a few cafe-au-lait spots (light brown spots similar to birthmarks) on her skin, but now tumors have developed throughout one leg, on her optic nerves, near her spinal cavity, and on her head. These tumors grow from the nerves and cause her pain. Shannon had her first surgery (to remove a cancerous tumor) on 10-25-2002. She did amazingly well but she still has many more tumors and she is still in pain. She will struggle with this pain until a cure can be found. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Unfortunately I have learned that Shannon's story is not unique: She is just one of the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of children born with Neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes painful tumors to grow on nerves ANYWHERE on or in the body. NF does not discriminate. It affects all races and both sexes equally. Therefore NF can affect any family.</div> <bR> <div> As members of the NF Marathon team we are dedicated to finding effective treatments and a cure for NF so that people like Shannon don't live their lives in fear of the next tumor's growth and the next surgery.</div> <bR> <div> That's why we need your help - so we can continue to fund the research that will lead to these treatments and ultimately, a cure for this insidious disorder.</div> <bR> <div> Your generous donation will help fund the research needed to save these children from the devastating effects of NF. The research we've already funded has demonstrated extraordinary success in seeking answers to NF. We are moving closer to a cure but we need your help to fund this vital research.</div> <bR> <div> By making a <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Make a donation ">donation</A> to the Children's Tumor Foundation, you will help ensure that leading, world class, scientist will continue the research to find treatments and a cure for NF. Your donation will give Shannon and the 1.5 million other people with NF, the hope of a brighter tomorrow.               Thank you!</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NF TEAM"><IMG SRC="05c50220.jpg" border=0 width="80" height="34" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>