Kids & Family

Milton Residents Meet with Gov. Patrick About Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month

Michelle Hirsch Donovan, M.D., Ph.D. and Michael Donovan, both of Milton, recently attended Governor Deval Patrick's declaration that May is Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month.

Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, signed a proclamation officially declaring May “Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month”.  The signing was part of a ceremony held recently at the State House.  In addition to signing the proclamation, Governor Patrick met with several NF patients and their families. 

“Creating awareness for NF is the greatest challenge we face.  We are so grateful to the Governor for giving us this opportunity to spread the word.  While NF isn’t a household word the disease is more common than you’d think,” said Karen Peluso, Executive Director, NF Northeast. 

Attending the ceremony was Milton resident, Michelle Hirsch Donovan, M.D., Ph.D. 

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Michelle, and her husband, Michael Donovan, are actively involved in advocacy and fundraising for NF, in particular with the Coast to the Cure NF bike ride, an annual event that takes place in the fall on the North Shore. She is both an event participant and a member of the planning committee. 

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a neurological genetic disorder that can cause tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in or on the body at any time. NF affects three times as many people as muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis combined.  

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The mission of NF Northeast is to find a cure and treatment for neurofibromatosis by promoting scientific research, creating awareness, and providing hope and support to those who are affected by NF. 

To learn more about neurofibromatosis, visit the NF Northeast website at www.nfincne.org.  If you are interested in participating or supporting the Coast to the Cure bike ride, visit www.nfincne.org/events/event/coast-to-the-cure-bike-ride-for-nf/

The above release was provided by Sonja Nathan, Special Events Director, Neurofibromatosis, Inc., Northeast.


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