The Children's Tumor Foundation
12/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/22/2025 11:38
Please Act Now—Your gift today protects tomorrow for kids like GabrielEmpty heading
When Gabriel was rushed to the hospital with bronchiolitis at just 1 year and 7 months old, his parents were focused on one thing: getting him better.
But when the pediatrician noticed the café-au-lait spots on his skin-marks his mom had always assumed were birthmarks-everything changed. The doctor asked to run additional tests. A short time later, Gabriel's parents heard the news that no parent is prepared for:
"Your son tested positive for NF1."
His mom remembers sitting in that hospital room, holding the handouts the doctor gave her, completely overwhelmed.
"I had no idea what NF1 was. I was lost. I didn't even know what questions to ask."
Like so many NF parents, she had to learn quickly. She connected with the regional center, started therapies, and began the cycle of appointments: the optometrist, the geneticist, the cardiologist. Week after week. Month after month.
And while Gabriel is doing well today, NF is unpredictable. What looks stable now can change. What seems mild at age three may not stay mild at seven, or ten, or fifteen.
That is why Gabriel's family is acting now-not waiting for NF to act first.A young boy smiles while sitting next to a person in a Chipmunk character costume, both posing for a photo indoors.
When Your Child Is Doing Well… That's Exactly When Research Matters Most
Gabriel is a happy, Disney-loving, almost-three-year-old.
He adores Mickey Mouse.
He wants his superpower to be "running super fast."
His favorite food is chicken tacos from his grandpa's taco truck.
He plays with his siblings-7, 3, and 1-with boundless joy.
To anyone who meets him, he is just a sweet, energetic toddler.
And that's the point.
NF doesn't always show itself on the outside. And tomorrow doesn't always look like today.Empty heading
The discoveries that could help Gabriel years from now-the treatments he might someday need-must be funded now.
We need families to take action long before a crisis. Long before symptoms change. Long before facing a moment of "I wish there had been something available."
Research takes years.
Clinical trials take years.
FDA approvals take even longer.
Young boy wearing a black jacket and blue jeans stands smiling with a backpack in front of a metal fence and gate on a cloudy day.We can't wait to act until we see a child's NF become serious. We have to act now.
Your Gift Today Protects Their Tomorrow
Because of donors who gave early, today, people living with NF1 have two FDA-approved treatments. There are now more clinical trials for NF2-related schwannomatosis than ever before. None of those breakthroughs happened by accident-they happened because families didn't wait.
Your gift today ensures:
Research keeps moving without interruption
Clinical trials stay open
Treatments keep advancing
Future options exist for children like Gabriel
Every breakthrough we celebrate is built on years of early, steady investment from people who said:
"
"I want treatments ready when my child needs them-not someday, but in time."
You Have the Power to Shape What NF Looks Like for Your Child in the Future
A family poses in front of a purple vampire-themed tow truck character at an outdoor event decorated for Halloween.Here's the question we ask families:
How would it feel to know you helped create the treatment your child, and other children living with NF, might one day need?
Your gift brings that answer closer.
�� Give today to protect tomorrowEmpty heading
Don't wait for NF to take the first step. Act now. Act early.Four children sit next to and on Santa Claus in a festive holiday setting with Christmas decorations, a reindeer figure, and a "Santa's Wonderland" sign in the background.
Act for kids like Gabriel-who deserve a future full of Mickey Mouse songs, chicken tacos, and all the magic life has to offer.
The Children's Tumor Foundation published this content on December 22, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 22, 2025 at 17:38 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]