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| Creative Fund raising |
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Terri Hatfield is an elementary school pyschologist in Middletown, N.Y. She is getting her school staff involved with her training by setting up a contest. Each week her fellow staff members can try to beat her training mileage. "I will be doing aggressive fund raising in my large district and school districts that my husband and sister-in-law work in," Hatfield said.
Hatfield first learned about CTF and the NF Endurance Team at the 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon. Hatfield was eating dinner at Planet Hollywood with her oldest daughter the same night as the NF Team's pasta dinner. "They showed a movie and I heard the speeches, etc. and was very inspired," Hatfield said.
What brings her over 2,400 miles across the country to run the P.F. Changs Marathon? "I chose Phoenix due to the warm weather, a blessing in January when you are from New York, and the way it matches with a long weekend on the school schedule," Hatfield said.
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| PHOTOS FROM 2008 |
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We
would love your support at the 2009 P.F. Chang's Marathon in Phoenix.
Please invite your family and friends to help cheer our runners across
the finish line. There is also still time to sign-up to run if you or someone you know is interested.
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RACE INFORMATION |
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Phoenix, AZ
RACES:
Marathon - Begins at 7:40 a.m. Mile by mile information
Half-Marathon - Begins at 8:30 a.m. Mile by mile information
For more course information click here. 
WEATHER: Enjoy a crisp average temperature of 40 degrees at the start line. Phoenix averages the following temperatures on race weekend: Average High 65°F / Average Low 40°F
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT: 70 Live Bands and 40 Cheer Squads
START LINE VILLAGE: Get your fill of bagels, coffee and sports drinks before your big race. You can also shed those extra layers at the UPS Gear Check. UPS will move your gear bag from the start to finish line.
NEW BALANCE RECOVERY ZONE: Relax after crossing the finish line at the New Balance Recovery Zone. The area will have stretching mats and a seating area. Look for personal trainers and free giveaways.
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NF HERO
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Meet Christian Mathieu Morales
Age: 16
School: Junior in high school
Interests: Sports and helping others
Future plans: Thinking of attending college to become a meteorologist or prosthetist.
NF1 MANIFESTATIONS
Christian has some benign neurofibromas in his body. He has learning disabilities in math, reading, and short-term memory trouble. He also has numerous cafe-au-lait spots, ADHD, scoliosis, and he had pseudoarthrosis, the formation of a false joint, on his lower left tibia.
COURAGE AND LOVE OF SPORTS
Christian made the courageous decision to amputate his leg and start new with a prosthesis. He wanted to run and play with his friends and dreamed of playing sports. After his amputation surgery, Christian's doctor thought he might need physical therapy to help him learn to walk with his new prosthesis. This was not the case! When his leg was healed enough to wear his new prosthesis, he put it on and literally took off. He never needed therapy and began a new life with his new leg!
Christian played soccer in the local community league for three
years. He made the All-Star Team all three years as a goalie.
Unfortunately during his last season playing his left knee (he is
amputated below the knee) was dislocated because of the weakness of the
muscles. Christian also plays baseball and basketball. He is looking
forward to playing basketball again this school year.
DETERMINED AND GRATEFUL SPIRIT
Christian is mainstreamed in school in his reading and math classes. He struggles some, but is a visual and kinesthetic learner. Since he has an IEP in place, he is able to get the help he needs from his teachers. This helps him be more successful in school.
Christian attends a camp each year for physically disabled kids called Lion's Camp Tatiyee, which is sponsored by the Lion's Clubs around the U.S. He has a wonderful time and always meets a lot of wonderful people. He is a leader and enjoys helping those less fortunate than he. He knows how blessed he is to have each day of his life. He is fortunate to not be in pain on a daily basis from any of the manifestations of NF1 that he has now.
Please feel free to use the picture and the story as a part of your fund raising efforts. You can also contact Veronica for any additional information. If you would like a "NF Hero" custom picture button to pin on your jersey, we recommend The Button Factory.
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| Why She Runs |
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Veronica Morales-Corona
This January will be the third half marathon I participate in with the NF Endurance Team in Phoenix, AZ. I am very excited! As a parent, it saddens me to think of all my son goes through on a daily basis. Not only does he have physical manifestations from NF1, but he also has gone through a lot of teasing in his life from his peers. A lot of times I feel helpless when listening to Christian tell me about things like this, or when he talks to me about things that are bothering him in regards to NF. I decided a couple of years ago to turn that hopelessness into something more positive. Since I teach full time as a first grade teacher, I do my best to fund raise and promote awareness for Christian and all those affected with NF.
Veronica Morales-Corona, mother of Christian
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