In the past seven years, the beNeFit has raised over $30 million to end neurofibromatosis (NF). Together, thousands of amazing supporters have broken all fundraising records to advance research toward a cure for this devastating disorder. This extraordinary outpouring has provided hope to the 2.5 million kids and adults who battle this relentless beast every day.
Enjoy Dan and Jennifer’s recap below of the beNeFit VII!
First and foremost, we want to say THANK YOU. This year has been a long one for our family, but we are eternally grateful to all those who stayed on the journey with us to find a cure to end NF for good.
At the beNeFit VII gala this year, over 1800 folks demonstrated their amazing support that enabled us to raise more than $5.7 million to fight NF. The funds will continue to support NF Forward (NFForwardDetroit.org) and the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF.org) to fund critical research to advance a cure for this debilitating disorder. Because of this outpouring of support, we are one step closer to living in a world without NF.
Check out the short video recap of November’s gala HERE. The photo gallery can be viewed HERE.
This year’s ‘Strength and Honor Award’ was presented to Aidan Fraser.
Aidan is a young man with NF who, despite the magnitude of his challenges, is a gleaming example of the countless ways those living with NF can thrive in life. Aidan inspired everyone in the room that night. As he so eloquently put it:
“I don’t know why anything happens the way it does. But… I do know that everything that has happened in my life has made me who I am today and I am proud of the person I am.”
HERE is the video of Aidan’s powerful story that moved us deeply.
Once again, much gratitude for everyone’s generous support. We are consistently humbled by the turnout and results. As our family shared at the gala, fighting NF sometimes feels like trying to boil the ocean. But with so many standing alongside us and contributing toward a cure,that ocean seems a little smaller.
Mark your calendars for next year’s beNeFit VIII, which is set for Saturday, November 21 in downtown Detroit. We hope to see you there to help catapult us even closer to a cure.
We wish you a happy, healthy, inspirational, and productive 2020…
Jennifer, Dan, and the entire Gilbert family