LTF Gets Signatures in Oshkosh

This week, the staff and interns of LTF is asking for signatures in Oshkosh that will be sent to the politicians on capitol hill to keep funding NF research. Interns are finding support among Oshkosh residents. We raising awareness by interacting with students and informing them about the importance of the continued research by the Department of Defense (DOD) for people with NF. With every last signature on the letter, Oshkosh students are letting us know that "tumors in children, we do not like them." So far we have over 900 letters of support of NF research that we'll send to our senators and congress people! You + me = a cure!

Little Walks for 24 hours

On Friday May 4, 2012, we at the Littlest Tumor Foundation kicked off NF awareness month with our 24-hour walk up and down College Ave. in Appleton, Wis. This year we started at 10 a.m. Friday morning and walked to 10 a.m. Saturday morning. For the course of the walk we held signs that said, “tumors in children we do not like them,” we walked through the nice, sunny May weather all the way to bar time with its abundance of inebriated drinkers and through the rain that started around 2 a.m.!

The Copper Rock provided us with a place to stay for the night as well as great coffee. We even got a ½ page article in the Appleton Post-Crescent. Over the 24-hour walk, 30 people joined us as we raised awareness about NF. Even some onlookers joined us for our cause! We are dedicated to raising awareness about NF and of course, having a little fun to. We want to say THANK YOU to all our walkers and all of the people who gave donations. We want to especially thank the Copper Rock coffee house who donated coffee and a place for walkers to rest between shifts. The walk is just one of the many events that are occurring this month to raise awareness about NF. Stay tuned for more event dates and times! 

Little Walks for Life

On Saturday April 28, 2012, the Littlest Tumor Foundation was present at the Relay for Life event in the Kolf Center located on the UW-Oshkosh Campus. The event ran from 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and went until 4 a.m. on Sunday morning. LTF was there for the WHOLE 12 hours raising awareness about NF and some of our upcoming events. We had a “little” booth where the Relay for Life participants could sign up for the sam-i-am race that is on May 26, 2012. Check back soon for great events in May (NF month)!

Interning for a Solution

Hello!

My name is Kayla Guns and I am the Littlest Tumor’s intern. Before this summer I had no idea what Neurofibromatosis was and defiantly didn’t know how to spell it. But it didn’t take long to learn that this disorder had huge impacts on families and the people who live with it, especially children. Our motto is “tumors in children, we do not like them,” which I think sums up LTF in a nutshell. The Littlest tumor Foundation is truly inspiring, the people involved work so hard to promote awareness and generate the funds needed for researching a cure. The fundraisers and events that LTF puts on are always fun and allow for people suffering with NF a chance to forget their worries and spend a day with their families. Also I am impressed with the determination of LTF to become a national even global presence in the NF community. As a small non-profit, I didn’t think LTF had much of a voice outside of the Fox Cities but as the summer progresses I’ve learned that LTF is already known nationally and we’ve even had a sponsored event in Africa! I am excited to continue working with LTF this summer and see what else we can accomplish for NF. Here at LTF we are asking people to give a little, because every little bit helps. “What’s your little?”

Americorps Blogs

My Soulution

It is hard to believe that the beginning of August is right around the corner already at the Littlest Tumor Foundation. My journey at the foundation thus far, has been a remarkable experience. Too often individuals disregard lessons learned along their life path. With the pull of the universe embedded in technology and the business of schedules, people rarely take the time to give a ‘little’, reflect a ‘little’, laugh a ‘little’ or volunteer a ‘little’. In finding a solution, I have learned that it takes a ‘little’ heart and soul.

Over these past summer months, putting my soul into creating awareness, promoting wellness, and developing research, has made the solution come alive in my heart. Being able to work with children who have Neurofibromatosis has been extremely rewarding. Courage and bravery in their smiles, and positive energy it their attitudes, has taught me that the fight is always worth it. Now, more than ever, I strive to be a part of the solution. Creating awareness has been a major part of my solution, as well as pushing myself to eat my greens and practice moments of wellness. It is the ‘little’ things that can go a long way and create a big impact. I often ask myself, “what is my little?” What can I personally do today to make a difference tomorrow? When I start asking myself these ‘little’ questions, the solution becomes achievable!

Emily Wagner

23 Year Old Female, Single and Seeking a Solution

This week wraps up out 30-day Awareness Campaign and the theme is Solution. According to Dictionary.com, there are three definitions of a solution.

1. The act of solving a problem, question, etc.: The situation is approaching solution.

2. The state of being solved: a problem capable of solution.

3. A particular instance or method of solving; an explanation or answer: The solution is as good as any other.

So what I have been doing to be a part of the solution? Well the answer is not simple because the problem of NF has not yet been solved but I feel my work and dedication to the cause and the Littlest Tumor Foundation have aided in the solution.

Being a part of the solution means stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, doing something daring and exciting, reading and research, creating activities and events for awareness raising, having an open mind and devotion. A solution is not always easy to come by but there are so many things to learn along the way.

During my short time with the Littlest Tumor Foundation, I have worked daily with Emily, the best coworker one could ask for. I have also learned a great deal and have been part of a multitude of work for the purpose of finding a solution, including: an expanded knowledge of social media, how to organize an entirely free three day retreat, created a month long campaign, have been featured on the radio and in the newspaper, have met celebrities who are also dedicated to finding a solution for those charities they support, written countless letters to media outlets including news broadcasting stations, magazines and newspapers, created a quarterly newsletter for our foundation and attended community meetings and events. Emily and I have worked tirelessly to be part of the solution and continue to give our talents, skills and vigorous passion to find that solution.

Please join us to keep the movement going. You can do so by writing your politicians, getting involved in an organization such as the Littlest Tumor Foundation, attending events and benefits put on for NF and for children, just taking some time to read up on the most recent research and scientific/medical breakthroughs, etc. Do what you’re able. Anything will do. We are happy to have anyone and everyone on board for the solution.

“The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution” --Unknown

Yours truly, Bailey Murph