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"Just Ask!" Goes to Antartica

A friend of mine, Chad Leathers sports his Just Ask! shirt in Antarctica for a race4 research. nf. Chad and I have been friends for abut a year. He has a great story. If you enjoy good music and concerts follow the link. Tumorators. Chad has  projects going on to help fight for

a cure for nf.  Please visit his page to learn more as to how you can attend one of his concerts. I know I plan to make a surprise visit.  But don’t tell Chad. I want it to surprise him.  Thank you Chad for spreading awareness by wearing  my just ask shirt.

About The Tumornators

The Tumornators is a fundraising team started by the Leathers/Cone family in conjunction with the Children’s Tumor Foundation that is dedicated to raising money and awareness to end. Neurofibromatosis (NF) and Schwannomatosis through research.

On Christmas Eve 2006 while driving back to Georgia from one of Drew’s many surgeries at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the family decided to take a more active role in Drew’s illness. The foundation was born February 2007 when they put together a compelling slideshow telling Drew’s story that, accompanied by a heartfelt song written by Drew’s brother, Ben, appeared on the newly-formed web site.

Thanks to the generosity of people like you, the grassroots campaign has raised over $100,000 to date through fundraisers, donations and with the help of friends like Atlanta Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur and former NFL player Matt Stinchcomb and New Orleans Saint, Jon Stinchcomb.

All funds raised are donated directly to the Children’s Tumor Foundation so that Drew and others like him can live a life free of the devastating impact of tumors.

Texas has been lobbying since 1997 to ensure that NF research continues to make progress. Since that time, over 200 million has been contributed to NF research programs. Within the last few years, research funds have steadily been decreasing. However, today I am proud to announce that they are “back up!” The House Appropriations Committee just ruled that another 25 million will go towards the 2010 Department of Defense NF Research program. This is a tremendous victory since last years projects only collected 10 million. That’s a 250% increase!
Thanks to all of you for writing your Representatives, It worked! And thanks to Reggie Bibbs, Sandra and Emily Parker, Dr. Slopis and Dr. Moore for taking the time to personally visit Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.
HOWEVER – The 25 MILLION IS NOT SECURED – YET. We still need YOUR HELP to SECURE THESE FUNDS! Please email, or better yet, hand write and fax a personal letter asking that our Senate approve the House Appropriations proposal of 25 million towards NF research. Thanks again, together we are making a difference!

Senator John Cornyn FAX: (202) 228 – 2856
Compose an online letter to Sen. Cornyn
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison FAX: (202) 224-0776
Compose an online letter to Sen. Hutchison

I spoke with Mari Garcia administrator of Gillian Anderson’s Official Web Site, I was asked sometime ago to help out and to contribute a doodle for NF, Inc’s Second National Doodle Day Auction. I was happy to post a blog and do what I can to be of help. Please check out the links and see your favorite Actors and actress and others who have support the fight against NF.

The auction will start on May 8 on eBay. So far there are two pages and more doodles will be added as they come in. Be sure and blog your favorite doodle.

NF, Inc. is raising money for neurofibromatosis through their annual National Doodle Day! As part of NF Awareness month, celebrity doodles will be available for auction on eBay.

These doodles have a very important aim: the funds they raise will benefit NF, Inc., an organization dedicated to providing support to individuals and families affected by neurofibromatosis (NF).

Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that affects one in every 2,500 births. NF is more common than Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy and Huntington’s Disease combined. Funds raised from the Doodle Day auction will go to support education, advocacy, coalitions, and research for treatments and a cure.

To learn more about NF, please visit www.nfinc.org.
For more information about National Doodle Day, contact email doodleday@nfinc.org

View celebrity doodles

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Guess who visited my on line store recently?

Yep, my good friend and also doctor, Dr. Bart Moore of MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER. He is proudly displaying the items that he purchased at the “Just Ask!” online store a short time ago. Not only is he a supporter of NF and “Race Across America for NF”, he’s also a very cool guy to have on your side.

Could you get your doctor to take a photo like this? I don’t think so! What a great sense of humor. Thanks for sharing your photo Dr. Moore! You’re the best!!!

Check out what people had to say about Bart at my Flickr account.