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Children’s Tumor Foundation Dancing with Our Stars Expands to Northwest Arkansas

Popular Little Rock event brings the ballroom to Bentonville to Raise Money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation

On October 9, the inaugural Northwest Arkansas Dancing with Our Stars Gala will take place at the Four Points Sheraton in Bentonville, AR. A spin-off of the popular annual ballroom competition that has taken place in Little Rock since 2006, Dancing with Our Stars brings together local celebrities, professional dancers and NF Heroes for a one-night ballroom competition to raise money and awareness for neurofibromatosis research. The Northwest Arkansas stars vying for a chance to take home the coveted mirror ball trophy are:

Jamie Daniel, McLarty Daniel Automotive
Eric Howerton, CEO, Whyte Spider
John Paul Hutchinson, Direct Sales Manager, Hibbett Sports
Tara Limbird, CEO, Limbird Realty
Courtney Backus Norton, Align Technology
Dr. Robert Williams, Chief Medical Officer, Arkansas Children’s in Northwest Arkansas

Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and may lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, and cancer. It affects millions of people worldwide and may arise in any family regardless of gender, race, or ethnic origin. While the FDA recently approved the first-ever treatment, Koselugo (selumetinib), for inoperable plexiform neurofibromas, there is no cure at this time for NF. NF Heroes as those who have demonstrated remarkable courage and a positive spirit living with NF.

Hosted by the Arkansas Chapter of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, this year’s dance competition fundraiser features a cocktail reception, seated dinner, silent auction, and dancing. There will also be a virtual stream, making for a unique and festive experience for the broader NF community who want to view and vote, but cannot attend in person.

“I said ‘yes’ to being a star because this is a fun and exciting event new to Northwest Arkansas,” says Jamie Daniel. “Serving in our community has always been important to me and I’m grateful to have been chosen to raise awareness in the fight against NF. I’m looking forward to dancing for a great cause!”

“When I was approached about Dancing with Our Stars coming to our area and how it would help raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, I jumped at the chance. As a lifelong Arkansas resident, I love finding any way I can to give back to our community,” adds Tara Limbird. “While the idea of dancing in front of a large audience is overwhelming and nerve-wracking, it was hard to say no to any cause that would benefit the kids and families affected by tumors. If I can help in any way to raise money and awareness for this organization, I will be a happy camper!”

Since its inception, the Arkansas Chapter has raised over $2.5 million for NF research through its Dancing with Our Stars Gala and other local events.

For more information or to purchase your virtual ticket or sponsorship, please visit ctf.org/dwosnwa.

About the Children’s Tumor Foundation
The Children’s Tumor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding effective treatments for the millions of people worldwide living with neurofibromatosis (NF), a term for three distinct disorders: NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and may lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, and cancer. NF affects 1 in every 3,000 births across all populations equally. There is one approved drug for the treatment of inoperable plexiform neurofibromas, a subset of the NF1 patients. The Children’s Tumor Foundation’s mission of driving research, expanding knowledge, and advancing care for the NF community fosters our vision of one day ending all manifestations of NF.

 

 

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