Children's Tumor Foundation to Host 2011 Annual Benefit Dinner on November 2 to Thank Supporters

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Children's Tumor Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of millions of people living with neurofibromatosis (NF) and the leader in funding medical research to find treatments for the disorder, will host its 2011 Annual Benefit Dinner on Wednesday, November 2 in New York City to thank its supporters.

This year the Children's Tumor Foundation will present the 2011 Children's Humanitarian Award to the Quicken Loans Family of Companies, a group of over 40 businesses, including the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.  The Family of Companies has partnered with Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert in his efforts to raise awareness of NF.  Dan's son, Nick Gilbert, who was born with NF, will be named this year's Children's Tumor Foundation Ambassador, and Roger Packer, Director of the Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Institute, will also be honored.

"Supporting research is the primary mission of the Children's Tumor Foundation, but it is the stories and contributions from the families affected by NF that truly drive the effort to find effective treatments," said George Orfanakos, President of the Children's Tumor Foundation.  "Family comes in many different forms and the companies within the Quicken Loans Family are passionate advocates, united in their efforts to raise research dollars and increase awareness of NF."

Fifteen-year-old Nick is the son of Dan and Jennifer Gilbert, and was diagnosed with NF as a toddler. NF is an under-recognized and under-diagnosed disorder that causes tumors to grow along nerves, and affects more people than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington's disease combined.

Nick brought widespread attention and awareness to NF and the Foundation during the 2011 NBA Draft lottery, during which he spoke publicly on ESPN about his battle with the disorder. Through his @CavsNick Twitter account and t-shirt and Fathead sales from his "What's Not to Like?" campaign, Nick raised more than $100,000 for the Foundation.

"We are naming Nick this year's Children's Tumor Foundation Ambassador because he doesn't let his disorder bring him down," said Orfanakos. "He overcomes every obstacle thrown his way with an optimistic attitude, and is a vocal, positive example for other children with NF."

"I am proud that I can contribute and help the fight to develop a cure for NF," said Nick. "I hope my positive attitude can be an example for other kids who were born with this condition. A positive outlook is more than just a good thing to walk around with every day -- I believe it actually helps fight off some of the problems that NF can cause kids like me."

The Children's Tumor Foundation's 2011 Annual Benefit Dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. EDT at Cipriani Downtown in New York City. For more information about the event, the Children's Tumor Foundation and NF, or to make a donation, please visit www.ctf.org. Learn more on Facebook and Twitter (@ChildrensTumor).

About Children's Tumor Foundation

The Children's Tumor Foundation is a 501(C)(3), not-for-profit organization and recipient of a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.  The Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of 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 can lead to blindness, bone abnormalities, cancer, deafness, disfigurement, learning disabilities and excruciating and disabling pain. NF is under-recognized and under-diagnosed yet affects more people than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington's disease combined.  The Children's Tumor Foundation funds critical research to find treatments for NF.  In addition to benefitting those who live with NF, this research is shedding new light on several forms of cancer, brain tumors, bone abnormalities and learning disabilities, ultimately benefiting the broader community.  For more information, please visit www.ctf.org .

About Quicken Loans Family of Companies

Quicken Loans' "Family of Companies" is made up of more than 40 businesses and 7,000 team members representing a variety of industries, including financial services, sports (Cleveland Cavaliers) and entertainment, consumer-direct marketing, education and more. Quicken Loans Inc., founded by Dan Gilbert in 1985, has since grown into the nation's largest online mortgage lender and is the flagship of the organization with nearly 4,000 team members in Southeast Michigan; Cleveland, Ohio; and Scottsdale, Arizona.  

SOURCE Quicken Loans