Support 2021 Cupid's Undie Run as Children's Tumour Foundation fundraiser goes virtual

Peter and Sharon Kirkpatrick, and their daughter Emily, encourage the community to get behind the Cupid's Undie Run fundraiser for the Children's Tumour Foundation.

Emily was diagnosed with NF at 10 months old.

The genetic disorder affects one in every 2500 people and causes tumours to grow on nerves throughout the body.

Emily's NF experience has included the amputation of her lower right leg, adjusting to a prosthetic limb, the successful management of epilepsy and the annual monitoring of two NF brain tumours.

The 13-year-old, who is doing well, loves swimming, drawing and learning French.

The family felt isolated after Emily's initial diagnosis but has since connected with the NF community.

The Children's Tumour Foundation is dedicated to empowering families impacted by NF with knowledge, connections and support.

The foundation also raises funds to support promising medical research aimed at finding new treatments and ultimately a cure.

The Kirkpatricks have organised two Cupid's Undie Run fundraisers in Port Macquarie and attended another fundraising run on the Gold Coast.

Mr Kirkpatrick said the Port Macquarie fundraisers made them realise there were more people with NF in the area than they had thought.

"The Children's Tumour Foundation is very much about awareness and connecting people together," Mrs Kirkpatrick added.

"No two cases are the same."

The 2021 charity run will be a little different due to the global pandemic.

The event is going virtual with free registration open to anyone, anywhere in Australia.

The Cupid's Undie Run will start with an online version of its signature run before offering up cheeky new challenges each day for two weeks.

Mr Kirkpatrick said registering for the Cupid's Undie Run was a way of supporting the NF community.

"Every cent helps with research which is vital to find a cure, as well as treatment and educators," he said.

Mrs Kirkpatrick agreed, saying research and awareness, for example, brought about more opportunities and possibilities for people with NF.

Emily said she would like people to look beyond NF and see the individual.

Children's Tumour Foundation head of marketing Renee Anschau said Cupid's Undie Run was the highlight of their fundraising calendar.

It may seem like a bit of fun, but once you have stripped down to your undies in public, people want to know why," she said.

"We run to celebrate our differences and to give the NF community a voice."

People should register for the event at the Cupid's Undie Run website before February 14.

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