Children's Tumor Foundation Raises Awareness In Mamaroneck

Harbor Island Park was the site for the first ever Children's Tumor Foundation walk for neurofibromatosis.        

Neurofibromatosis, otherwise known as "NF," is a condition that causes tumors to grow on different parts of the body. The NF1 type affects one in every 3,000 people, making it an extremely rare condition, according to information on the foundation's Web site. There are two other forms of the disease that are rarer.

There is no known cure to help people suffering from NF, and with more research needing to be done, the Children's Tumor Foundation began raising awareness through nationwide walks. There have been 39 walks this year, and the foundation has raised $900,000 so far this year alone.
   
The walk has been held in the tri-state area before, taking place in Connecticut, New Jersey, and in New York City, before coming to Mamaroneck for the first time.
   
"It's a great location because, we can draw people from the city, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester, helping us bring more awareness," said walk director Traceann Adams.
   
The plan worked, with families from both Long Island and New Jersey coming to Mamaroneck to participate in the walk.
   
Everyone registered for the walk was registered as a team. All were walking for someone who has been affected by NF.       

The walk was something in which the whole family could participate. Refreshments were made available, and there was even a pumpkin decorating table for any kids who were interested.         

Capes, and medals were also given out to all the people with NF who were walking. The capes represented super heroes, making the people who were given the capes "NF Heroes."

With their Children's Tumor Foundation shirts on, and their cowbells in hand, the walkers walked through the park, with the mission of raising awareness as well as supporting the members of their families affected by NF.
   
There is no cure for disease, organizers said. Many people have no knowledge of it because of its rarity.
   
"It's not relatable to people like autism might be," Adams said.        

"We do these walks to raise awareness, but more importantly to reach out to people about NF," she said.