August 13th is Iowa’s NF Walk in Iowa City. While you may have never heard of NF, or neurofibromatosis, you live every day next to people who have it or whose lives are affected by it. Just recently, Tate Koester, a three year old in the Gladbrook community, was diagnosed with NF1. NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and may lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, and cancer. NF affects one in every 3,000 people, more than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington’s disease combined. There is currently no treatment or cure.  The money raised at the Iowa NF Walk goes towards critical research funded by the Children’s Tumor Foundation. In addition to benefiting those who live with NF, this research is shedding new light on several forms of cancer, brain tumors, bone abnormalities, and learning disabilities, ultimately benefiting the broader community. “It has been a roller coaster ride since last summer when we went to the eye doctor for a check-up. The optometrist informed us Tate had a tumor on his optic nerve. We were referred to Iowa City and after several appointments, he was officially diagnosed in January,” says Tate’s mother, Beth Koester. “The unknown is the scariest. We don’t know how mild or severe his case will turn out to be. He could go his whole life with only a few tumors here or there. There is no cure, no special diet, or preventative measures for us to take. As a parent, you worry a lot.” Right now, Tate is developing like any normal three year old. He loves his trucks, cows, tractors, and three brothers–Ryan, age 11; Owen, age 9; and twin brother, Clay. On August 13th, Matt and Beth Koester, along with friends and family, will be in Iowa City to help raise money and awareness for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The family has a web page called “Titans For Tate” that has been taking donations since April. “Our goal is to put the word out there and to educate as many people as we can. The community support has been amazing and we appreciate all the prayers,” shares Tate’s dad, Matt. To register for the Iowa NF Walk, visit www.nfwalk.org/iowa. For more information on neurofibromatosis, visit www.ctf.org.