Announcing Team CMT Kids

Team CMT has partnered with The Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF) to raise awareness of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease by participating in events held around the world. Awareness creates a deeper understanding of the challenges of CMT, and with that understanding comes support, a drive for research, and one day, a cure.

Team CMT Kids is focused on supporting children with CMT through our schools. We can indeed make a difference! Register your school and join us in the great cause!

SCHOOLS: We welcome your participation in Team CMT Kids for your community service project! By holding a Team CMT Kids event you will be helping tens of thousands of children who live with CMT feel empowered and embraced! Money you raise will help the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation support the development of new treatments and hopefully one day, a cure for CMT.

Here’s how:
1. Choose a fun event to involve the whole school. Think about a walk-a-thon-around-the-playground, a jump-rope contest, a bake sale, a song-fest—something to get everyone moving and grooving!
2. Appoint an Event Coordinator to set up your school's fundraising page. Coordinators go to www.hnf-cure.org, click on Team CMT and you will find a link to create your own school fund raising page.

Spread the word about the event and the page link to collect donations.

3. Students can participate in the event and ask their friends and families to sponsor them online or by check. A t-shirt will be awarded to any student raising $25 or more.

This program is run by Carol Liu, author of the book “Arlene on the Scene,” which is a children’s chapter book featuring a spunky fourth grader with CMT (sequel coming in March 2013) See ArleneOnTheScene.com for more information.

Carol has a passion for working with kids, is a former school counselor, and uses her experience to expand the traditional school author visit into an engaging discussion about the value in embracing the differences among us. She visits elementary schools across the nation and has spoken to tens of thousands of children about important social issues as well as educating students and teachers about CMT. After nearly every visit, kids are inspired to take action and contribute to the mission of finding a cure for CMT. Team CMT Kids is now an integral part of the school program.

I am very excited to announce Team CMT kids.  I have a passion for all the benefits of physical fitness and using athletics to bring awareness of CMT. Team CMT was started to help those affected by CMT to stay active and raise awareness of Charcot Marie Tooth.   

This program combines both and teaches kids not only about CMT, but about being active, caring about others and being good citizens. So proud to introduce this new program. These kids can make a positive difference in the world by learning about CMT and raising funds to help those affected by this condition.

If your school is interested;

Go to the HNF site to register:
http://hnf.donorpages.com/TEAMCMTKIDS/

Coordinators should send checks, payable to:
The Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation
PO Box 1922
Midlothian, VA 23113

Please indicate “Team CMT” and the name of your school.

School Outreach

Challenge your students to think differently about diversity!  HNF also has a school outreach program. Their program “Arlene on the Scene” features a spunky young girl navigating the landscape of fourth grade with CMT.  Arlene learns through her adventures and mistakes, that a disability is like any other difference and can be part of a beautiful and capable whole.  It is free, interactive and classroom materials are provided for grades 3-5.

The HNF program provides the means and materials to help kids understand CMT. The free interactive sessions are led by author and child therapist Carol Liu.  Especially helpful if your child has CMT.

 To learn more about this program or have Carol comes to your school;

www.areleneontheScene.com

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

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.

Key words: fitness, kids, get moving, CMT, fundraising