Friday Fund-Raiser Supports Marathoner's Efforts
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ADAMS, Mass. -- Juraye Pierson has been using running as an outlet to clear her thoughts since the young age of 13 after the passing of her brother. she now is using it to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis, as she prepares to take part in the 2015 Boston Marathon.
Pierson, the director of educational services at the Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School, is running to raise awareness of the condition in honor of BArT student Ryan Wood, who has Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). Only one in 35,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with it.
Neurofibromatosis is a neurological disease that causes tumors to grow on any nerves in the body and has left Ryan deaf, blind, and enduring chemotherapy to slow the continued growth of the tumors.
“I knew nothing about of Neurofibromatosis until I met Ryan,” Pierson said. “After working with him, I knew I wanted to do more to raise awareness to help all other children afflicted with this disease.”
Pierson met Ryan through her role at BArT in the fall of 2013, when he entered the school as a ninth-grader. She explained that he chose BArT because of his love of technology and his desire go to college. When Ryan began his freshman year, he had just lost his vision; becoming the first student to be completely blind at the school.
“We at BArT wanted to create a program for Ryan that would support his transition into life as a blind person,” Pierson said. “We also needed to support him to access curriculum and prepare him for college.”
Pierson made the decision to participate in the Boston Marathon back in September after learning of a friend’s experience running in the “Upfront for Demar 5K”. She started seriously training for it back in December.
Her decision to participate in the marathon wasn’t solely based on raising awareness and funds for Neurofibromatosis, but more on the fact that she wanted to make it aware to Ryan that he is a valued member of the BArT community and the community at large.
“I want him to know he is important and not alone,” she said. “Many people care for him and walk this journey with him.”
A fundraising spaghetti dinner is being held at the ITAM in Pittsfield on Friday April 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-12. In addition to the dinner there will be raffles for baskets, a quilt, and some of Ryan’s tactile artwork. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Eileen Monyahan at (413)212-0445 or Julie Wood at (413)387-5009.
