Welcome to neurofibromatosis tennessee

July 5, 2026

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Dear Friends of NF Tennessee, 

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May and June were packed with memorable highlights! NF Awareness Month kept us busy, including a fun filled NF Tn Annual Picnic on May 16 at Warner Park in Nashville. Lots of friends, relaxing time to share experiences, reflect on things, and enjoy the day celebrating World NF Awareness Day, May 17, a day in advance. (please send in your photos)

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The picnic has become our annual awards ceremony too. This year the Laptop, Arts, and Scholarship Programs received a record 24 applications, leading to xx laptops,  xx arts supply, and 2 college support grants. Look for more details on the Laptop Page.

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Two NF Tn Impact Awards, given for exceptional long-term sustained  contibutions to the Tennessee NF Community were also presented. Mrs. Nancy Reeves, is a longtime community organizer, fundraiser, and NF advocate.  Her signature event is fundraising for the Children's Tumor Foundation through the Annual National Bannana Pudding Fetsival in Centerville. Nancy also obtained a Proclamation from the Mayor of Nashville recognizing May 17 as World NF Awareness Day. This inlcuded lighting the Koprean Vetersans Bridge blue on May 17. Also receiving the Impact Award was Dr.  Laurie Cutting, Professor at the Vanderbilt University Kennedy Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities. Dr.  Cutting's NF research career spans 30 years. She is a nationally recognized expert on NF1-related dyslexia, including writing and directing NIH-funded clinical trials evaluating tutoring and medications for dyslexia in NF1 with analyisis by functional brain MRI before and after these treatments.  Nancy Reeves and Dr. Cutting join last year's Impact Award recipients, Dr.  Eniko Pivnok and Mr. Jordan Britton as great models of what individuals can do to contribute to and enhance the Tennessee NF Community.

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There are also new things on the horizon! On July 2 we had the second "Our NF Stories ..." virtual meeting. The first focused on issues related to newly diagnosed NF individuals.  The second focused on medical insurance issues. These small group, open discussions will recur every two months.  Make sure to get on the NF Tennessee email list to get the link and let us know if you have a topic you want to discuss with others in this cmmunity. 

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Another new effort is the formation of Local Email NF Groups or networks accross Tennessee with the goal of sharing information, community support, and encouraging small local NF-related events in more areas.  If you would like to be part of a local NF email group and connect with others in the NF commnity around where you live, please send us your email and zip code at contact@nftennessee.org or sign up for the NF Tn mailing list and include your zip code. 

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Also on the calendar is the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center - Children's Tumor Foundation NF Patient and Family Symposium (Virtual) on Saturday August 22. Dr.  Alex Mohler has put together a great group of presentations by experts form Vanderbilt, plus an update on NF Tn activities by Skyler Moots and a look at research  participation in NF by Dr.  Paul Moots. 

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Thanks for your interest!

Paul Moots,

for NF Tennessee