Renees Spendenaktion

The Fasnet Spendenlauf will take place on Saturday February 14, 2015. Runners and event attendees are encouraged to wear traditional and spirited costumes. Such a wild and fun event is bound to capture attention from the community and raise awareness for diseases that are not so popular, namely neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a rare neurological disease that is genetically inherited or occurs after a spontaneous genetic mutation. There are two different types of NF (Type 1 und Type 2).
Type 1 is the most common, occurring in 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 individuals (NIH, USA). It is hard to live with NF, which is way treatment options are directed toward helping children cope and explore methods for finding a way to control symptoms. These symptoms range from hydrocephalus (abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain), epilepsy, congenital heart defects, high blood pressure, impaired language skills, learning and disabilities. An estimated 3 to 5 percent of tumors may develop into cancer and treatment for such malignant tumors require very aggressive treatments. Such symptoms usually show in affected children by 10-years-old.

Type 2 is less common affecting 1 in 25,000 people. About 50% of the people with the disorder have inherited it from their parents and the other half began affected after a spontaneous mutation. Symptoms for Type 2 include slow-growing tumors on the nerves that innervate the ear and that help people maintain their balance. It is also possible that early in age eyesight is affected.

Overall, not many people are aware of the struggles these people face with the disease, and it is even harder that we have no cure. Only by supporting research and therapy projects can advancements be made toward this cause.

So, please join us by donating and join our event in Tuebingen at Saints and Scholars Public House (Wilhelmstr. 44) at 12:00 for the race (behind the pub at Oesterberg) and have a good time looking at the crazy costumes and enjoying cocktail specials at the pub for the evening. There will be a Tambola and prizes will be awarded to the fastest runners and best costumes.

We hope to see you there! Running or not!