Shannon is NF Fighter of the Year

BRAVE 17-year-old Shannon Brady from Athea was honoured earlier this month as she took home the NF ‘Fighter of the Year’ award at the NF Fighter awards which were held on Saturday, November 18 in the Listowel Arms Hotel.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow in various types of nerves anywhere in or on the body, which can affect the development of tissues such as bones and skin.

“Shannon is a 17-year-old with a great attitude and great drive; she knows first-hand how difficult it can be to live with NF and she is true champion, the way she lives her life to the full and tries her best not to let it affect her,” said Gareth Curran, Head of The NF Association of Ireland, who presented Shannon with her award.

“Shannon has done great work to help us here at the NF Association to raise awareness and vital funds to help us support others like her and I am so thrilled to be able to present her with this award,” he finished.

Shannon’s Brother Danny Brady also picked up an NF Fighter Award on the night after being nominated by both Shannon and their mother Alison for all the support he gives to Shannon and the whole family.

The NF Fighter campaign was launched earlier this year by world famous MMA coach John Kavanagh, who lent his support to promote the worthy campaign. The campaign was an initiative by the NF Association of Ireland to raise awareness of the condition, and to celebrate those who are affected by NF on a daily basis.

In about half of cases of NF, the condition is passed from a parent, however the other half of cases are a chance event called a spontaneous gene mutation, where the gene responsible for causing NF has a misprint in the genetic code. As there is no known cure or prevention at present, NF is a lifelong condition.

As a result of these causes, each baby born in Ireland is at risk of developing NF

There are currently two main types of NF:

NF1, aapproximately one in 2,500 people are born NF1. This is the most common variant and early stages include flat brown birthmarks on the skin, freckles in unusual places and lumps or bumps on the skin. Some children with NF1 will have learning difficulties and a third will have one or more medical complications, related to NF during their lives. NF2 is much rarer and affects one in 35,000 of the population in Ireland. People with NF2 develop tumours typically in the brain and spine, which can cause varying degrees of hearing loss and mobility problems. These might occur later in life and to varying degrees.

The NF Association of Ireland was founded in 1985 to help those affected by Neurofibromatosis (NF).

It is run by a team of volunteers, parents and family friends.

NF Fighter of the Year Shannon Brady, left, with her brother Danny Brady and Gareth Curran head of the NF Association at the organisation’s recent ball at the Listowel Arms Hotel.