Neurofibromatosis is a painful disorder that causes tumors to grow on the body, eyes – and even the brain.
Four-year-old Jesse Markland,of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, struggles with the disorder that in his case causes severe pain and tumors all over his body.
A costume party Friday night at the Lawrenceburg Speedway raised awareness for the disorder, as well as some money for the Children's Tumor Foundation which works to find a cure.
Jesse's mom says it was difficult to cope with his diagnosis at first.
"You're knocked off your feet for awhile and you sit at home and you cry, but eventually you gotta get back up and you gotta fight back," says Jill Markland, Jesse's mom and fundraiser for the Children's Tumor Foundation.
"You can't tell a mother that there's no treatment and no cure and expect her just to sit home and take it and watch,” she adds. “That's unacceptable and it just can't happen."
Donations to the Children's Tumor Foundation for Neurofibromatosis research can be sent to:
Lawrenceburg Police Department 349 Walnut St.
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
