May is Neurofibromatosis Month

 Listed on my awareness days and months page, under May, is that it is Neurofibromatosis Month. Neurofibromatosis is actually three disorders, all centered around the development of tumors in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves (x). Tumors are not usually cancerous, but can develop into cancer.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the most common type, and usually develops into symptoms in early childhood (x). NF is a genetic mutation in one of two neurofibromin genes (NF1 is a mutation in gene 1 and NF2 in gene 2) and can be random or inherited from a parent. NF1 occurs in about 1 in 3500 births, which is actually quite a lot if you think about it.

The Children's Tumor Foundation has an annual campaign about NF. This year's campaign is called Make NF Visible (x). Here's their video for this year:
 

From the Children's Tumor Foundation, "World NF Awareness Day, May 17, will culminate with the 4th annual Make NF Visible: A World NF Day Live Event." You can find a place to RSVP on the bottom of this page. On May 17, you are encouraged to wear blue and green in support of NF awareness.

 



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