Addison's Unicorn Squad to host May 21 fundraiser

Join Addison's Unicorn Squad fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 21, at Our Lady of Hope Church, 9711 W. Devon Ave. in Rosemont. Or join them virtually via a livestream from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Three-year-old Addison Gentile was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) in the summer of 2019. NF2 is a genetic disorder that affects one in every 25,000 people worldwide. It is characterized by the development of noncancerous tumors on the nerves throughout the body; mainly the ones that directly affect the eyes, ears, brain and spinal cord. Most cases are diagnosed in late childhood but due to a birth defect with Addison's eye, she was diagnosed at 17 months. Addison currently has a left-side brain tumor that involves the L optic nerve and blood vessels supplying the brain along with severe scar tissue affecting her right eye, rendering it nonfunctioning at this time.

This "End NF" fundraiser will aid Addison's future treatment as well as supporting the research at the Children's Tumor Foundation (ctf.org).

The Children's Tumor Foundation is working hard to find a cure for NF2. Recently, the CTF released the first FDA approved drug to treat tumors that occur in patients with NF type 1; unfortunately, there is no approved treatment for NF type 2 patients.

Addison's Unicorn Squad is offering several ways you can support the goal of raising funds to help support 3-year-old Addison Gentile's future medical needs and help find a cure for neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2).

Join in on the fun in person on May 21, make a donation, purchase cash raffle tickets, score something awesome on the online auction, or check to see if your employer will double your donation.

Learn more atwww.addisonsunicornsquad.org.