RAISE FUNDS

Have you ever mentioned NF to a colleague, physician, or friend and had the other party respond with a frightened “Neuro-what?” Neurofibromatosis –the word itself brings fear to many. Some, because they are not sure how to pronounce it. Others, because they are far too familiar with the word and are scared of the complications it can bring.

One of the primary goals of Neurofibromatosis Inc. CA is to reduce that fear. At the most basic level, we teach others about the word –how to say Neurofibromatosis and how to better understand it. Because NF so directly impacts our lives, we are passionate about advocacy, medical advancements, and the hope for a cure. We don’t stop at the basics; we continue our quest and continue looking for others to help.

As we put the finishing touches on our upcoming newsletter, we are amazed at how much has happened during the past few years. We have hosted educational meetings, symposiums, benefit walks, and social events. We have networked with NF clinics and specialists. We have published NF literature and sent educational materials to physicians, families, teachers, and anyone willing to read them. We have reached out, listened, and shared. We appreciate those who have made 2007 so productive and petition for your continued support.

Our goals for 2008 and beyond are ambitious. But they have to be. There is so much left to accomplish. We need to be able to offer more services to a larger group of people. Our NF families need events, the ability to be involved in the latest clinical trials, and a better way to store and access their medical records.

Our political leaders, corporations, and the general public need to learn more about Neurofibromatosis and the benefits of NF research. Public Service Announcements are an excellent tool to accomplish this, but our current budget does not provide the funds required to create them.

You however, have to power to fund them. Our mailing list includes 1500 of our most dedicated supporters. If each responds with a simple $10 donation, our PSAs will become a reality.

If members feel inspired to send $20, we could also establish the Personal Record Service so needed by NF patients. We encourage those with the ability to send $100 or more to do so. Donations to NF Inc. CA are fully tax deductible and are a wise investment in supporting those with Neurofibromatosis.

We dream of the day when we no longer need to plead for funding. For that day when appropriate treatments have been found and awareness no longer needs to be raised. But, for the time being, we continue in this quest. And, continue to ask for your help.

BE AN ADVOCATE

Join the NF T.E.A.M. Together-Everyone-Achieves-More

Explain Neurofibromatosis to those you know and meet
Volunteer to help with a project
Volunteer to help with office work
Volunteer to help at the next event
Donate a raffle and/or online auction items
Make a donation to NF, Inc. California
Help us contact local newspapers, radio stations and TV stations
Wear a NF wristband
Help us collect signatures for Congress in February
Purchase and wear “NF logo wear”
Help collect old cell phones and empty ink jet and laser cartridges
Tell your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers how they can help NF, Inc. California

Be creative and hold a fundraiser for NF, Inc. California in your home town

Here's a few fundraiser ideas:

Car Wash
Bake Sale
Home parties (Tupperware, Avon, Mary Kay, Pampered Chief, Party Light, Jewelry, etc)
Hoop~a~thon
In door gym day
Host a dinner at a sit down restaurant or fast food chain
School PTA’s penny drive, popcorn drive, trike~a~thon, etc.

Interested in getting involved with NF, Inc. California?

Area Coordinator:
When: anytime

If we don’t have an event going on in your neighborhood and you would like to help in getting one organized, please call Debbie Bell at 707-469-0467 or email her at dbell@nfcalifornia.org

Fundraiser Dinners:
Event: October 2006

NFC is looking forward to having several "Dinners under the Harvest Moon" throughout the month of October. Dinners will be held throughout California as a fundraiser and a way to raise awareness about Neurofibromatosis. NF is not rare, but so few people have heard of it and hosting a dinner is the perfect way to bring positive attention to this essential cause. These dinners can be held at a restaurant, church, home, school, or other community center. Please contact Debbie Bell at 707-469-0467 or by email at dbell@nfcalifornia.org for more information about bringing a "Dinner under the Harvest Moon" to your area.

Holidays Around the World:
Event: December 9, 2006
When: December 3 and 4, 2006 Volunteers needed for preparation of this event
When: December 9, 2006 Volunteers needed for the day of the event.

Holidays Around the World is a fun event for all ages and will take place in Vacaville on December 9, 2006 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. We want to celebrate the holidays with everyone; which will include activities for all ages. If you celebrate your holiday in a special way and would like to share it at this event, let us know. If you are a teenager, we invite you to come to our Holidays Around the World. You can participate in all of the activities, or you can be a mentor to our younger kids as they decorate cookies, make fun crafts and eat lots of delicious food! Siblings and friends are always welcome.

Holidays Around the World:
Event: March 10, 2006
When: September, October, November, December single work days per month need volunteer help
When: January, February, March several work days we need several volunteers to help
When: March 10, 2007 Volunteers needed for the day of the event

Holidays NF Steps ~moving forward with hope~ Fun run: 5k fun run will take place at Vacaville’s Lagoon Valley Park. If you would like to volunteer the day of the event or with the preparation work, please contact Debbie Bell at 707-469-0467 or by email at dbell@nfcalifornia.org

Graphic Designer needed for two projects
1) Now that we have a new look for our website, we would like a new logo. If you have experience designing logos and would like to take on a challenge, let us know.
2) Our Gene Day fundraiser needs flyers and posters

If you have any questions please contact us