SAN DIEGO–On August 16, about 60 athletes, collectively known as Team Garrett, will run “America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K” in San Diego to raise money and awareness for neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that can cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and affects one in every 3,000 people. Currently there are no effective treatments for NF.
Team Garrett participates on behalf of Garrett Baumann, a 25-year-old who lives with a form of NF called neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and inspires this team in their mission. The team is comprised of Baumann’s friends and family who, as members of the NF Endurance Team, will be competing in the 5K or half marathon to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF), a nonprofit whose mission is to end neurofibromatosis through research.
“This last year has been very difficult for me and I was not expected to be here at this time,” said Garrett in a post on Team Garrett’s Facebook wall. “A year ago my doctor told me that they could not help me anymore and that I should check into hospice. I had constant pain in my back, arms and fingers. I lost my hearing, my voice, and my ability to eat. I also lost my two favorite things to do: play video games and rock out to loud music. I was convinced I was dying… however, God has kept me here and given me more time to be with you all. I am using this opportunity to help others, especially those with NF.”
Before Garrett was diagnosed with NF2 at age 11, he was an active child who loved karate, skiing, hiking, and fishing. Now he is too weak to leave home, except for doctor appointments. NF2 has rendered Garrett deaf and limited his vision. Due to the pain and the medications, he spends most of the day sleeping.
The Baumann family is committed to ensuring the availability of information and resources for all families living with neurofibromatosis, and is working with the University of San Diego to bring together experienced NF physicians to create a network for the San Diego NF community. They also helped organize an Ask the Doctor event at the end of August.
Team Garrett partakes in America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K dressed as Nintendo characters as a way to honor one of Garrett’s favorite hobbies. Just like last year, Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong and Yoshi are all expected to show up and wow the crowd with their moves and their commitment.
