Photo: Suzanne Sausville (WBZ)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — If you saw hundreds of people running in their underwear near Fenway Park Saturday, they were not doing it just for fun.
More than 300 participants took part in Cupid's Undie Run, a national fundraising event that raises money for Neurofibromatosis (NF) research. NF is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue, either inside or outside of the body. Complications include blindness, deafness, cardiovascular problems, skeletal problems, and nerve damage.
"There are some people that with neurofibromatosis that have tumors on the outside of their body, and unfortunately they can’t cover themselves up to preserve their dignity," said runner Kelly. "So in solidarity, what we do is expose ourselves to their comfort level."
Kelly's team Shivering Skivvies raised over $26,000 in honor of her friend Amy, who has NF.
"I have Type II and that’s what took my hearing and caused tumors throughout my body," Amy told WBZ NewsRadio. "Having all of my friends and my whole entire town in Suffield, Connecticut and beyond go to bat for me helps keep me going all the time."
The charitable spirit kept runners warm throughout the cold February weather.
"I’ve got goosebumps right now, it’s a little chilly out here," said race director Amanda Tonelli, whose son has NF. "So I actually wear my fishnets because I pretend like they’re pants, so I feel somewhat warm."
The run raised more than $170,000 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
WBZ's Suzanne Sausville (@WBZSausville) reports.
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