Team CMT News

All your dreams can com true if you have the courage to pursue them.-Walt Disney

Joe Torello Finisher Philadelphia Half Marathon

Team Philadelphia
When Joe Torello was diagnosed with CMT at age 11, his doctor said to give up the idea of dancing and sports.  Sunday morning Joe finished the Philadelphia Half Marathon in 2 hrs and 41 minutes. After the race, Joe did two shows of The Music Man where he sings and dances. So the doctors were wrong about Joe, just like they were for many of us with CMT. Joe not only ran this race for Team CMT to raise awareness, he raised $5510 for CMT research. That brings the total raised by Team CMT members to $20,000. Way to go Joe and way to go Team CMT! Thanks for not giving up on your dreams of dance and being active.  I know you are working hard to stay strong. I can't wait to see what you do next!

Joe also has an interview lined up this week. I will put up that clip, hopefully later this week.  In the mean time you can watch the interview Joe did for Philadelphia TV.  In the clip he said he did not have any role model with CMT when he was growing up and he hopes to provide that role. You are already there Joe! Thank your for your efforts.
Check out his interview in Sacramento.
http://hnf.donorpages.com/TeamCMT/JTorello1/

Team CMT Kids
  The HNF announced this week a new program;Team CMT kids.
The program pairs fundraising and their current education outreach program using the book "Arlene on the Scene". Author Carol Lui heads up the program.  The program is open to schools, church groups, scouts, athletic organization or any group wanting to take on a service project.
Anyone interested should contact Carol at http://hnf.donorpages.com/TEAMCMTKIDS/
A group would pick a fund raising project and put up a fundraising page. Any on the members raising more than $25 will get a Team CMT Kids shirt.  This is a great way to get kids active, educate them about CMT and show them the satisfaction of helping others through community service.

Team Senior Games


Louise Gerhart and Chris Wodke Boston 2012

Louise Gerhart of Acton, MA has qualified for the Senior Games in Cleveland, Ohio on July 21, 2013. She will be participating in doubles tennis and triathlon.  I have applied to the games as well in triathlon and hope to see Louise there.  Louise has also been doing some research into options currently on the market of leg bracing. Looking forward to seen that summary soon. Thank you Louise for representing us at the Senior Games. Events like this are so important for raising awareness of CMT! Proud of you.  Hope to see you in Boston this spring when I run Boston again.


Team Oregon
Brook O'Connor of Astoria Oregon has joined the team. She is the daughter of Team CMT member Alyson O'Connor. They plan on doing a 5 K together and using it as a fundraiser. It helps to have someone to training with and I am sure you will keep each other motivated.  We continue to grow and have 107 members in 24 states, Iran, Vietnam and Canada.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Have a safe and happy holiday. Good luck to everyone running events this weekend. I know Kevin Klein will be running the Drumstick 5K here in Milwaukee.  I am still sidelined for at least another week.  I have a follow up doctor visit tomorrow.  The lump the doctor tried to drain is still there.  Hoping it is just going to take time to resolve. It is going to be 60F here this week and I am dying to run.

Barb Vonada, Courtney Hollett, Kim Farren

Team Richmond
Team members Courtney Hollett and Kim Farren ran the Richmond Marathon on Novmber 11th.  Team members Richard and Ruth Cook were in the crowd to cheer and Barb Vonada helped with getting items for the post party silent auction.  The event in Richmond earned a little over $4000.  This group has been active all year hosting a Saturday morning running group.  Great job and thank you for supporting CMT research and Team CMT!

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.