Community Corner

Tumornators Fundraiser in Fourth Year

In honor of a Parkview alumus, the annual event hopes to bring more awareness to rare, genetic diseases Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis

Tumornators, a nonprofit organization set up by two Parkview graduates, Ben and Chad Leathers, will have its fourth annual trick-or-treating fundraiser this Saturday, Oct. 27.

The event takes place 9:30 a.m. - noon at the Lilburn Greenway Trail.

It goes to benefit the Children's Tumor Foundation in honor of Drew Leathers. He is the youngest of the Leathers brothers and was diagnosed with Schwannomatosis as a child.

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The rare, genetic disease has caused painful tumors to grow all over his body. And, to do something about it, Drew's family started Tumornators, which aims at eliminating Neurofibromatosis (NF) and Schwannomatosis.

The school family at Arcado Elementary, where Drew's mother, Fran Cone, works, have been especially helpful with the fundraising. Drew attended the school as a child.

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It's really a huge volunteer effort with Arcado Elementary," said Sally Duerr, who was one of the original organizers of the trick-or-treating fundraiser. "Whenever there's a need, everyone is so eager to step in and help."

Cone said she is grateful for the support: "I can never adequately express, how much it means to me to know our community cares so much."

In addition to the Saturday event, Tumornators will also bring its message to a bigger stage this year. Drew has been selected as this year’s Ambassador to the annual Children's Tumor Foundation 2012 Benefit Gala in New York.

Tumornators hopes that the exposure will help them move closer to their goal of funding research that develops a cure to the disease Leathers suffers from. Cone said it was "truly a silver lining" to all that her son has been through.

"What could make a mama more proud than for her child to be recognized for fighting the good fight?," Cone said. "We are so thankful to Children's Tumor Foundation for all they are doing to find treatments and some day a cure for NF and for them to choose Drew to honor in this way, is just incredible."

What to Know:

Event is a pet- and stroller-friendly walk on the Lilburn Greenway Trail with trick-or-treating for costumed participants.

Walkers can register for door prizes, a pet costume contest, and pick up T-shirts starting at 9 a.m. before the race/walk at 9:30. (There will be local and national winners for the pet costume contest. Register your pet by clicking here.)

Registration costs for single participants are $10; $25 for families of three; $35 for families of four; and $45 for family of five.

Event Sponsors:

Snellville Chick-fil-A on U.S. Highway 78; Publix, 4045 Five Forks Trickum Road; Jump and Slide, Home Depot, 4163 Jimmy Carter Boulevard; and STA off U.S. Highway 78 in Snellville

For more on Trick or Treat for Tumornators event, click here.

For more on the nonprofit Tumornators, click here.


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