I'd like to introduce the new uniform logo for Team CMT.  The athletes of our team will be wearing this logo as we complete in triahlons, walks, bike rides, runs and spin events. Members will wear this logo as we raise awareness of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disorder or CMT.

Team CMT is a group of 62 athletes from 16 states united to find treatments and a cure for the condition that affects 155,000 Americans.  It is the most common inherited neurological disorder.

Team CMT is now sponsored by the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation. The HNF was founded by Allison Moore when she got a sudden onset of CMT symptoms from cancer treatment.  She like the other members of Team CMT are dedicated to raising awareness of CMT and helping those affected to live healthy and active lives.  HNF is very active in raising research through athletic events so we make a perfect team!

Lots of thought and discussion went into the design. The three triangles represent the three universities partnering with HNF to do research; UC Davis, UCLA and the University of West Virginia School of Medicine. The concentric circles in the middle on the green triangle represent a schwann cell. The Schwann cell is a cell of the peripheral nervous system that wraps around a nerve fiber and forms the myelin sheath.  In CMT 1a which is the most common type, the ability of Schwann cells to maintain the myelin sheath which is needed for speedy nerve conduction is impeded by overproduction of a protein.
You can also see the figures representing the sports where Team CMT members are active.  Typically  the swim would be represented first since swim, bike, and run is the competiton order for triathletes, but the majority of our team are runners and walkers so we left the runner at the peak.   The two web sites are also on the logo to promote our team and to educate about CMT.

This logo had its first appearance at the half marathon on December 31st in Allen, Texas.
I will be running wearing this singlet in the Boston Marathon this April. I will be raising money to fund the study of Team CMT athletes by Dr. Robert Chetlin at the University of West Virgina School of Medicine. He will be studying the CMT affected athletes on the team to measure teh effect of exercise on the cells and nerve sheath.  Those of us on the team with CMT already know the benefits exercise has had on our lives. We have seen progression slowed and in some cases reversed with running and other vigourous exercise. Dr. Chetlins work will aim at recommending appropriate exercise for CMT patients.

It is an exciting time for our team. The new uniforms should be ready by the end of January. We are looking forward to adding many new members. I expect we will reach my goal of 100 members well before our 1 year anniversary at the end of April.

Chris Wodke
Manager & Founder Team CMT
http://www.run4cmt.com/

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have almost 100 members in 17 states. If you wish to join us visit our web site.

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

Running, triathlons, impaired athlete, paratriathlon, USAT, running and CMT