Health & Fitness
Team TSF at the NJ Marathon for Fourth Year
This article describes the Turner Syndrome Foundation's involvement in the NJ Marathon and shares the story of Ava, a young girl with the condition and other health issues.
Turner Syndrome Foundation (TSF), a non-profit 501c3
organization, based out of Holmdel NJ, is putting on their walking and running
shoes and recruiting people of all ages to join their team this spring at the
NJ Marathon Festival at the Shore in Long Branch the weekend of May 4-5.
Turner Syndrome (TS) is the #1 chromosomal anomaly that
affects girls only – 1 in 2000 live female births – and occurs when all or part
of the second X chromosome is missing.
These babies only have a 2-5% chance of making it to a live birth and
early diagnosis is critical for them to live happy, healthy lives. Ava, a 4 year old from Sparta NJ, was lucky enough to receive a prenatal diagnosis and has been receiving helpful treatments since birth. Ava was born
with heart and kidney defects and lymphedema and has had several ear and kidney surgeries already in her short life. She also receives speech and occupational therapies and has regular visits with her
cardiologist, endocrinologist, ENT and urologist. She has been given the best
chance at life because of her early diagnosis.
Unfortunately, so many girls and women go undiagnosed until their teen
years or even later missing valuable treatments.This is the fourth year TEAM TSF will be part of such a great family, fun-filled weekend. Events
include a 5k Mile Fun Run/Walk, Kids Races and a 1.2 Mile Marathon on Saturday,
May 4 and the NJ Marathon, Long Branch Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay on Sunday, May 5. TSF has very low fundraising minimums and with a commitment to walk or run with their team, the entry fee for the Sunday events is covered.If you are interested in being a part of TEAM TSF and
helping to change the lives of these girls and women affected by TS, please
email coach@teamtsf.org, go to
tsfusa.org or njmarathon.org.
