NF HERO:
Kate Trommer
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When Kate Trommer grows up she wants to be a vet. The 5-year-old from Loganville, GA loves animals and people.
At age two she was diagnosed with NF1 via genetic testing. "Although Kate only has the cafe-au-lait spots right now, we have to be proactive for our uncertain future," Karen Trommer, Kate's mother, said.
Kate still goes in for MRI's and for visits with an ophthalmologist to check for opitc gliomas and a geneticist.
The Trommer family has been a part of the NF Endurance Team for the past two years. "It really helps us feel like we can make a difference in our daughter's life as well as for others with NF," Trommer said. "In the past two years we have raised over $10,000 for NF research."
Through their participation with the team, Trommer said that they have learned the meaning of coming together to make a difference. Just recently one of the representatives from CordBlanc USA read Trommer's Web site page and was touched by Kate's story. "She talked to her boss and they donated the initial cost for collecting cord blood from our son that is 10-weeks-old," Trommer said. "It was about $1,000."
Now if there is ever a need for Kate to have stem cells or cord blood the Trommer's have a viable option. "I was just speechless and am so thankful," Trommer said.
The Trommers plan on making the Georgia ING Marathon an annual tradition. "The hardest part is the uncertainity of Neurofibromatosis," said Trommer. For now the Trommers are working on focusing on Kate's inner self. Trommer said, "...We focus more on our 'inner self' rather than our 'outer self.' We hope that others will always see her for the beautiful person we know she will be."
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A NOTE FROM THE TEAM CAPTAIN
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The Georgia marathon in particular is one of my favorites! It's Southern hospitality at its best. Supporters line every street from downtown Atlanta to neighborhood front porches, screaming, "run, run, y'all can do it." The weather is nearly always perfect...mostly sunny, a bit cool and the spirit of the city is in every runner, walker and person cheering from the sidelines. The race is so much fun, just when you think a particular hill is going to ruin your stride, you're distracted by a huge group of cheering fans, a band, a restaurant lined street, or beautiful Piedmont Park. And, that doesn't even cover all of the landmarks you'll see. You run right by MLK's home and down through Virginia Highlands, the Carter center and much more...Not only do I get to run in one of the most welcoming cities, I get to run in my city for a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Click here for more about why I run for NF.
The poem below sums it up for me and my team (Team Earle). This is how we feel and this is why we run for NF:
What does Running for Love" mean?
It means that we run with greater purpose.
It means that when we are tired, sore or busy...we run anyway
It means that we run because we will not be helpless in Erin's fight to survive this crippling disease.
It means that we will stand-up to those ticking time bombs in her body called tumors.
It means that we will not stop running until a cure is found, because Erin can not wait for a cure, we need a cure NOW.
Angie Bourne
Team Captain
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Atlanta, GA
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Race Information
March 29, 2009
EVENTS: Marathon, Half Marathon, Publix 5K Run/Walk, Publix Kids Fun Run
WEATHER: Enjoy moderate temperatures with the average low in the 40s and the average high in the 60s. 11Alive WeatherPlus offers more daily weather information.
COURSE MAP: A pdf of the course map for the marathon and half marathon. A pdf of the course street listings. The start and finish is in Centennial Olympic Park. The course winds through some of Atlanta and Decatur's most unique neighborhoods and landmarks including the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., historic houses, Little Five Points, four college campuses and Piedmont Park.
 Things to do in Atlanta:
The Georgia Aquarium, the
world's largest aquarium, has established a special rate for marathon weekend participants. For more information, please contact the Georgia Aquarium at 404-581-4000. Click here for other things to do in the Peach State.
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Meet the Tumornators
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So Tumors Won't Be Back
Chad Leathers has never had a normal job. Since high school he has worked as a photographer for Action Sports International and now owns a small design firm. But on Christmas Eve 2006 his workload added a new and personal dimension when he decided to start an organization called the Tumornators. Chad's family had just returned from one his brother's many surgeries at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Drew, 21, has Schwannomatosis, a classification of Neurofibromatosis. Chad sat family members down and said, "...This is enough, we have to do something and I will need your help."
By February he had put together a revised slideshow that his mother had assembled and put it on a Web site. The Tumornators were born. As a fund raising team, the Tumornators directly donate proceeds to the Children's Tumor Foundation.
Q. What has this experience, starting such an organization, taught you?
A. That neurofibromatosis is a global problem. That there is so much love in this world it is truly unbelievable. That running a non profit is a business. Trying to raise money in the middle class is a business. I know that the people we are friends with, if they had had million dollars, they would donate it. But, they don't. They may have $100 and they donate that, which is all the more meaningful.
Q. How do you stay focused on trying to find a cure?
A. I am lucky! Seriously, our family is so close and always has been. We would do anything to stop Drew's pain and we are. It helps that I have a tattoo that I see every day to remind me of what I can do, and it also helps having a mentor like Steve [Kendra] to keep me focused.
Q. What are ways that you are trying to generate awareness about NF?
A. That is a very interesting question. Doing what we do -- events, parties, interviews, Miami Ink, it is all in an attempt to balance our goals which are: raise awareness and raise money to fight this terrible disease...From our site, we have had something like 4,500 visitors from all 50 states and 35 different countries.
Q. What are your goals for the organization?
A. I would say our goal is to see an end to this disorder. I do not feel that this is something unrealistic. It is about dreaming big and if you shoot for the moon and fall short, you only land among the stars. As for events, I would love to see a Jeff Francoeur golf tournament and a Tumornators Walk, beginning an organization at UGA (University of Georgia), and having a writers in the round concert for spring.
Q. In addition to the Tumornators, what else do you do?
A. When I graduated (from UGA), I went to work for Action Sports International in Germany as their European director of photography. When I got back last October, I started a small design firm called 70:30 Studios. At 70:30 we specialize in web design, graphic design and photography. Basically we are a general branding company. It fills a LOT of my time but working for yourself really allows me the flexability to do the Tumornators.
Q. Why is the Georgia ING a special event for you and your family?A. The Georgia Marathon is going to be unbelievable this year! This event is going to give us the opportunity to go the distance. We have always been an active family, but this event is something that we can do as a family and as a community that will be the culmination of a large goal built by so many goals. We have always called Atlanta home, and I think this is the year for Atlanta to really get to know who the Tumornators are and more importantly who the NF Endurance Team is. We have already started building our team and planning small group runs. I truly can't wait. NFEVER.
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