Cheo, Piro, Seza, Soker, Acer and Ziml working together like it ain't no thang...

There are more photos out there if you want to have a hunt on flickr!

The race day was thought to be in jeopardy due to thunderstorms in the forecast. Once everything was setup for the races, and the motos were about to be printed, the printer died on us, and the moto sheets had to be hand written. With the delays, it was thought that the dark rain cloud that was hovering over the track might open up and cause the cancellation. However, the races did go ahead and the rain held off.

Here are the race recaps:

Brianna "Wildflower" Bertrand - Due the fact that there are not many Girl class racers yet in Ottawa BMX. Bri has to move over to the Boys Intermediate class to find a moto to race in. Bri has been using the tough competition to try to improve her overall racing. She has been focusing on the last straight away making sure she has a strong finish. She said that she is working hard all the way across the line for those tight races in the future. Brianna took home 3rd place for the day.

Bailey "Dash" Bertrand - Bailey continues his race season with another 1st place win. Bailey had a strong day and is looking forward to the Pennsylvania State race this coming weekend. Bailey is working on getting good gate starts. Bailey took home 1st place for the day.

Brendon "Flash" Bertrand - Brendon was against some hard competition for his moto on this day. He was racing all older riders, mainly over the age of twenty. Brendon had to qualify for the main in the 3rd moto. With three racers heading into the final two corners neck and neck, Brendon managed to execute a good pass in the 3rd corner and a block in the 4th corner to enabled him to take the first. Brendon took home 4th place for the day.

Overall it was good race day and the day was finished off by having a few fun races for the racers after the presentation to the CHEO Fondation for a cheque over $2400 raised by the club.

Interestingly, they were auctioned off at the end of the night, in an auction that had practically no promotion beforehand, so they went for an absolute steal.

Cheba's piece

Cheo's

China Mike's

Andy Council's

They should be up til the end of the festival on tuesday if you want to go down and check them out!

Soul BMX Racing was down one rider last night due to a conflict in the schedule of sporting events. Brendon had the second last ball hockey game last night, that sport is nearing the end of the season and will not be conflicting with practices and races after next week.

Here is a recap of the nights races.

Brianna "Wildflower" Bertrand - Bri had an improved set of races. Her moto was a total points moto. Brianna was getting out of the gates much quicker last night. Brianna ended up taking 3rd place for the night. She was also a participant in the 3-rider relay race with Sarah McSweeny and her Soul BMX Racing teammate Bailey and were the winning team. For their prize they got a prize from McDonald's a free meal. After the race, the three winners headed over to McDonald's and had some fun in the playpark and had a great time together away from the track. Brianna continues to have fun at all her races.

In talking with Brianna about the 1st straight away we came to understand where she is losing her speed as she comes out of the 1st corner. We will be working on this in the practice sessions. Bri wants me to bring my 20" bike in the next practice night to ride with her to help her out.

Brianna also had a great time at the track taking some good pictures, I will create a Bubbleshare slide show of her photowalk and post later this evening.

Bailey "Dash" Bertrand - Due to the race being moved to Thursday night, it made for having a smaller turnout, and probably the most interesting moto of the year. Bailey's moto consisted of a 10yr,13 yr old (2), 24yr old and a 30+ rider. We have some pictures of these races and will post tonight as well in a Bubbleshare slideshow.

When Bailey found out he was racing Kevin Woodward the 24 year old rider, he was excited and nervous.

This was a transfer system moto, and Bailey transfered in the 3rd race to reach the main. In the main, the battle for the 2nd and 3rd place down the final straightway was no word of a lie, one of the most exciting battles at the wire all year. It was neck and neck between Bailey and Kevin, Bailey peddled hard to the finish line as did Kevin and by the width of the tire Bailey took 2nd place. This rose the level of excitement at the track and showed the crowd what BMX racing is about. What a finish, this moto had people talking after the race. I only wish I had this on camera. This was likely Bailey's hardest fought race all year.

Bailey as noted above was part of the 3-rider winning relay team for the night.

Next up is the Race for Life on Saturday morning with all proceeds going to the CHEO Foundation. If you are reading this post and have not donated to the event, click on the CHEO donation button on the right and donate to this great cause.

For those into these things, the Bristol Design Festival starts today, going on til next tuesday. Much more of a design thing than a graf thing, but this blog's helped someone enter the 'grafikea' competition that's going on as part of the festival, so it's all a bit interlinked.

Anyway, word's just reached blogging towers that there's going to be some live painting as part of the festival going on tonight (Friday 13th), featuring Cheo, China Mike, Andy Council and, of course, mr live painting himself, Cheba. 

It's from 7pm to 9:30pm, and you can exchange your presence at the event for free booze as well. 

So, head down to the Old Fire Station on Silver Street (behind where the 12 days show was). Postcode's BS1 2PY for those that want to google map it. 

First up a bunch of work by Dosar. Took a while to find a canvas with a clear tag on it. So long in fact, entirely forgot to get a photo of the pieces themselves, duh! They're really good though, will try to grab a shot another time to show you all.

There's a bit of one of the Dosars on the top left there. The main three here though are by Slam, another London head. Tidy. Bit of a crap photo though annoyingly.

So, four really lovely pieces from Acerone of the TCF, all of well known people if you're into those scenes, this one's of Million Dan.

This one's of a break dancer, didn't catch the name.

Previewed on Let Them Hang before, this is a lovely China Mike. As it says on that site "It's so tight it hardly looks like a painting, but it is; gouache, pen, and indian ink on card", to which i can only add it looks better in the flesh.

Another China Mike, yet again so much better in the flesh. One of the best pieces in the show to my mind, but it's so varied, you'll have your own too...

Remember how Cheo turned a paint pen into an airbrush at Weapon of Choice a few months back? Well, he's done it again, and this is a really ace piece, makes a change from the usual bright and colourful stuff too.

Thought this was pretty cute too...

Always with the different packaging approach isn't he, you'll have to go along to see what's in these ones!

Now these surprised me, Lokey, on very fine form indeed...

...another couple in the same vein. Tidy.

Everywhere these 45RM owls now, aren't they. Here's some for this show, hanging out with a couple of their turtle friends too. No little owl canvasses this time round though sadly...

Is there anyone now without numbers in their name? These are by SPZER076, very, very tight pieces.

Loved these doods especially...

Another major painter up and down the Gloucester Road/Cheltenham Road/Stokes Croft at the moment, Sepr.

Those aren't eyeballs, they're skulls. Cool. Go check out his work in 'Start the Bus' on Corn Street too if you're in the area too.

More and new Simon Mills, he's going to be prettying a bit next to the gallery soon too i hear.

There's always got to be one name you forget when taking photos hasn't there? Dammit. Really nice piece though.

These are very cool, of the De Beauvoir Estate in Hackney by ICB1(again with the numbers in the name!). Funny pieces, they're small, but look better and more atmospheric from afar than close up. Reminded me of Xenz's 'Cities in the SKy' pieces in a way.

For those of you still chasing down any Nick Walker piece you can lay your hands on, here's a Vandal print for you. To think you could buy a hand sprayed canvas triptych of one of these for £150 for the set not three years ago. Bonkers.

This one had just been unwrapped, and was hard to get a good shot of through the glass, but a beautiful Mr Jago silk, one of the best i've seen. Doubt it will stay unsold for long...

Next to it, again through the window, a Flx piece in a totally different style from his other work. It's of Fela Kuti, and the text behind it is the lyrics of his song 'Water No Get Enemy'. It's wicked, and to see the whole thing, you gotta go up there and see it for yourself.

So, there you have it. Cheba's got some bits that will be there for the show apparently, a couple of stencil based pieces and a board, but they may not be dry yet as this is written.

This may also be the last show at the current Guerrilla Galleries, as the summer could see a change of venue. So, if you've not been along to check it out yet, then this show's a great one to give you just that excuse.

First up, there's the new show at Guerrilla Galleries this Thursday (8th May), featuring loads of different artists, including Cheo, China Mike, Deadgirl, Ghostboy, Mr Jago, BS51, Lokey, 45RPM, Sepr and many more. Going to be bringing you preview photos of that one in advance all being well, check back here in a couple of days...

The very next day, Friday the 9th May, there's a night down the Thekla that, amongst other things, will bring you live painting from Lokey, Cheba and Nikill, check the flyer.

If you've still got anything left, then head on over to the Tobacco Factory on Saturday the 10th May where, as part of a wider load of events Cheba, Lokey (and possibly Cheo too) will be doing yet more live painting from 3pm til 7pm. Weapon of Choice resident Betamax will be on the wheels of steel for that one too. Can't think of many better ways to spend a Saturday avo.

Speaking of Weapon of Choice, that's rolled around again this month too, the following Tuesday 13th May, usual bizniss, this time Seza and Soker doing the honours with the paint pens.

Ain't Bristol cool?

By the way, for those of you after some work by the ever painting Mr Cheba, his wicked little print, Chebastein, is now available from Tangent books too..

May the 8th is going to see some new work going up in the gallery. Complete line up still being finalised, but confirmed so far is new stuff from Cheba, Sepr, Deadgirl, Cheo, SPZER076, Lokey and Yakahead.

Also, interestingly, long time graffiti author and documenter, Tristan Manco, is bringing across a whole load of work from writers and artists he knows in Brazil, as yet unseen in the UK.

Looks like being a really interesting new show, will let you know more when we do.

Last Thursday was the London launch of the 'Banksy's Bristol' book, it having had a Bristol launch last December as covered here (damn i used to use a bad camera, and know less than i do now). The launch was down at Cargo in trendy Shoreditch, with live painting from Inkie, Cheba, Lokey and Cheo. Didn't get down there for the start, due to being down in New Cross for the Mudwig show (of which more later).

When i did get there, was surprised to find legendary (now ex) Bristolian Ian Bone, accompanied by Ray Roughler Jones, singing a rousing rendition of their number one smash 'John Bindon'. Go here for more info and to hear a version for yourself (unsurprisingly NSFW).

After that, on to the painting. Cheba was at one end, putting together this dood, a self portrait?

Next to him was Inkie, with what looked to be shaping up to be a really lovely piece.

Here's a close up of her head in its early stages.

Then down from Mr Inkie, Lokey and Cheo were repeating their success at the last Weapon of Choice with a joint piece.

Cheo sorting the guy's eyewear out with a fat marker.

Before Lokey gets down to some detail on his letters.

Meanwhile Inkie's piece is coming on strong, love the gold on it.

Cheba's dood starts to get eyes to see.

Before Cheo's gets that badass beard and shaded cap. The bee's come together now too.

Through all of this, the music had changed into something a little more fitting, with one of those 'DJs' the young people nowadays do love so much.

Cheba's piece was moving faster than the others, and was getting pretty much done as the night started to draw in.

Quite a crowd there though, and a nice atmosphere too, not as pretentiously 'London' as other things i've been to before.

Of course, couldn't go to Cargo without getting the obligatory shot of the Banksy there. One of my favourite Banksy images this one, remember it up in Clifton years ago now at the top of Pro-Cathedral lane, but sadly unprotected by a perspex screen, unlike this more fortunate version.

Inkie by now has moved onto flowers to go with the lovely lady, it's a really special piece this one.

Cheba puts the final touches to his piece...

...and Lokey inks in some more letters.

Cheba's finished piece, cool.

Inkie's still working away though, despite his apparent lack of a head (that's an umbrella it's hidden behind, not clever camera trickery).

By now it was getting pretty late, a new night was starting, and a member of staff came and asked me if i was one of the painters (bless, as if!) cos if so i had to finish right now. After a brief pint, Inkie got back to it in double time.

Cheo and Lokey had finished by now, note the 'Dirty Protest' tag on the cap there, the only bit of stencilling done on the night.

After not too much longer, Inkie finished too, a really lovely piece, and as usual, being auctioned off along with the other pieces from the night for charity. Very cool.

So, a great night (hello to all the lovely people i met there) and the journey back to Bristol was pretty darn fun too!

If you haven't bought the book yet by the way, then do.

So, as ever, here's the traditional blank 'canvas' shot at the start of the night.

China Mike's up first, during an awesome dub act, DJ, MC and trumpet player, nothing more, worked really, really well.

45RPM steps up next, going high.

A nose shaped thing and a heart shaped thing...

Close up on the nose, China Mike filling in some detail.

Surprisingly quickly, the nose turns into a head, with ears and a gas mask, and the body emerges too.

The whole dog, and the heart shaped thing to the left taking on a new form.

China Mike fills in the Dog with a fat marker, again really fast.

The dog gets black ears, and 45rpm's piece is now clearly an old skool hot air balloon.

45RPM fills in the detail on the balloon...

...whilst China Mike breaks out the brushes and paint.

The balloon pretty finished, 45RPM disappears for a bit whilst something grows from the dog's back.

Glory be, it's a tree!

45RPM steps back up with some of that damn fine What? Collective trademark style, curvy, dripping, filled and shaded, love it.

And like that's not enough, out come the awesome letter forms.

Meanwhile China Mike cracks on with a piece coming out the dog's foot.

Back up to the tree, and down for some more perfect circles, uncannily drawn totally freehand, really.

More tree detail goes on.

China Mike gets back to the foot piece, whilst 45RPM starts on some more awesome signage

Can y'tell what it is yet?

Sadly in a way, by this point, the night has gone crazy, everyone loving the DJ's, dancing their fashionable socks off, and basically invading the stage. Kinda made getting photos difficult i'm afraid. Didn't make painting any easier too.

Did get one though of 45RPM valiantly braving the hordes and getting a signature owl done.

Grabbed a shot of the previous letters more done too, a shout out to the night. Yes, that is a Cheo bee on there, Cheo having drawn a familiar owl on his piece last month...

So, well after midnight, i have to flee the carnage. A really cool night, but a different and slightly more edgy vibe from previous nights. Next up is Soker and, i think, Seza, though don't quote me on that, it was all a bit manic.

Here's a finished owl, an apt way to finish a very late night.

Oddly enough, both of these ones happen on the same day, 3rd April, in the same city, London.

First up is a London launch for the 'Banksy's Bristol' book, at Cargo in trendy Rivington Street, with more live painting, this time from Inkie, Cheo, Lokey and Cheba. Bit of an early one this, 5:30pm til 8pm, so plenty of time to get the train back westward if it's a school night. Should be very good...

Opening on the same night, but running til the 26th of April, is a new show from Mudwig. This time down in New Cross, which warrants some sort of Carter USM pun, but i can't think of one right now.  Not got times for this one, but unless there's no big do on the 3rd for this one, then you should be able to do both in the same night. Awesome.

At the age of 15, I was given a choice. 1. To live in a group home. 2. To live in a long term Hospital. Being the tough, stubborn SOB that I am, I chose a 3rd option. I wanted something that everybody wants, I wanted freedom. I chose to think "outside the box" and wanted to live on my own.

My Mom & I wrote letters and pleaded with the Government both locally and nationally. It took 4 years of hard work, sweat, tears, and letters to get what most take for granted. In the end, I got my wish.

On March 16th, 1994, the Hospital threw me a big party. Nurses, Doctors, and even the Media were there. I had mixed feelings at the time. I was happy, sad, scared, and possibly just a tad proud of myself.

At the time, I was the first severely physically disabled person in Canada to do this. I was given a huge send-off. The first night in my own place was spent relaxing and watching TV and of course the news.

I won't deny that I've had my share of ups & downs in 14 years, but who hasn't. Through it all, I've learned a lot both negative and positive and have become stronger, physically, mentally,and emotionally.

Just 3 years ago, I had to once again fight for my freedom. One of the places that was providing funds decided to cut me off. Once again, they wanted to ship me off to a group home. To top it off, my best friend had just passed away. This time around, I lobbied successfully and convinced the Government once again that I'm worth it. I received word about my victory right after his Funeral.

I'm not sure what tomorrow, next week, or next year will bring, but I know one thing for sure.

Nothing is better than freedom.

Here's some snaps for those as couldn't make it...

As ever, the blank piece at the start of the night

After a bit of discussion, Cheo's first up, whilst Lokey gets ready

Cheo starts rocking out this big head

and continues whilst Lokey gets started

Lokey's work is more the stylised piece tonight

All starts taking shape

Few more stokes and the head takes on a personality

Hadn't seen this before, Cheo slaps a little adapter on the paint pen to turn it into an airbrush

Cheo then heads across to the other side to draw another dood

Can really see it start coming together now

Working across the space, Lokey takes his work higher

Then starts bolding up those lines, really careful precision here that was cool to watch

Meanwhile the MC's have started, this guy was really, really good, and brought his own crowd of admiring ladies down the front

Both get back to it

Cheo starts painting in the spaces with fat paint

Loved this, Cheo built in some props to another artist in the crowd tonight...

... a little owl, recognise it?

More paint pen airbrush action from Cheo

Doesn't look like it's heading towards the end, but it was getting late, and things were quieting down

So here's the final shot, taken late, 1am or so, and think the piece had some way to go, but sad to report dear reader, i had to be off.

Awesome night though, just what these things should be.

Word has it the next one will be 45rpm painting alongside China Mike. Oh my gosh, awesome!

It's all being put up at the moment, and the place is closed until the show opening, so excuse the way some of the pieces are 'displayed' here, but my is there some tasty stuff there.

Cheo's got the wall Inkie had on the opening night, lovely pieces, signature stuff, and the bee on the dood on the right is raised up in 3D.

Some more of the little Cheo corner pieces. There's a free, very limited edition, Cheo t-shirt with each of these little triangular pieces too, which looks lovely.

Monster's a guy i don't think i'd heard of before, not a Bristol head, but rather from Cambridge. Really like his stuff, this is the biggest piece there...

...and there's tons more of it too, currently propped against the crates of beer people other than me are going to be enjoying tomorrow, dammit!

This is stuff by Simon Mills, who, according to his biog, loves scribbling, cider and a couple of other things i forget. Comedy biog though. Really like those black smudge heads,  although i'm caught in the trap of 'i could do that myself/yeah, but i didn't think of it did i?' that you sometimes get.

These are really well done, by an artist called Hine, pieces with names like 'los sucios santos' and 'balula'. Clearly a very talented guy.

Here are some bits by Rowdy, a departure from his normal style, but very lovely. The grey one at the back is really ace, but you'd need a nice enough flat or house to hang it in to do it proper justice.

Now getting into the stuff that you may recognise more. Here's a newish Ghostboy print, check the side of 'The Bell' in Jamaica Street to see it in paint. The original was at the 12 days of xmas show too.

Apparently a Ghostboy original done for this show was sold yesterday to some guy peering through the window, seeing it and calling up about it. So literally as i type, Ghostboy's putting the finishing touches to some new bits for tomorrow night, after a day battling to find canvasses.

Said it before and i'll say it again, you'd have to have a cold, cold heart not to have love for Dicy's skills. A hugely under-recognised legend of the Bristol scene.

Imagine this will probably be sold by the time you get there, whenever that may be, an Andy Council original, framed, and looking awesome.

These aren't going to hang around either, two Mr Jago pen and ink originals, very nice ones too.

And finally more from that cheeky chappy of the What? Collective, 45RPM. Some big owls and a turtle...

...and for those of you who missed out on them at the 12 days of xmas, a shed load more little owl canvasses.

Annoyingly, i'm probably not now going to be there for the opening due to a last minute, well, unexpectedness, but if someone reading this is going to be, and wants to write a review of it, then send it on in!

Enjoy it folks, this show is seriously good...

Guerrilla Galleries’ latest show opens its doors on Thursday 28th February at 7pm for the private view - and the exhibition continues through March.

Continuing on from the acclaimed first showing, Guerilla Galleries’ new exhibition showcases even more of Bristol’s - and the UK’s - finest artists from established names, to underground, controversial, and breaking new artists including Inkie, Cheo, Ghostboy, Mr Jago, Rowdy, Andy Council, Pure Evil and Monsta.

Guerrilla Galleries is Bristol’s only dedicated graffiti and street art gallery and fast becoming one of the freshest and most exciting contemporary art destinations in the West Country.

The exhibition has a variety of original art from one off canvasses through to limited edition screen prints. All artworks are for sale and can be purchased from as little as £25.

“Our first exhibition was a major success story for Bristol’s burgeoning street art scene, but this time, we’ve made it even better. Bristol is an amazing place to be for street art right now, and it’s about time that these amazing artists have somewhere to showcase, share and sell their art.” says Julian Monaghan of Guerrilla Galleries

Be there please, my guess is you'll be annoyed you weren't in a few years time if you aren't.

Top stuff!

Boy with brain tumour defies the odds

Trevor Pritchard
Local News - Saturday, May 26, 2007 @ 08:00

On the rare occasions he's not giggling or laughing, it's apparent five-year-old Devon Payette's speech is slightly garbled.

His bright red hair is shaved close to his skull, where he has a four-inch scar, and he stumbles slightly as he walks - possibly the result of being blind in one eye.

Still, after two surgeries in less than a month to whittle away a baseball-sized brain tumour, and being diagnosed (wrongly, it turned out) as terminally ill, the rambunctious youngster is remarkably healthy.

"God is good," said Devon's mother, Kim Gillet, as her son plays with his father, Rick. "We asked for a miracle, and we got one."

Within the next six weeks, genetic testing should reveal whether Devon is suffering from a rare brain condition known as type 2 neurofibromatosis, or NF2.

Affecting one in 40,000, NF2 causes benign brain tumours to grow spontaneously along the eighth cranial nerve, which is responsible for maintaining a person's hearing and sense of balance.

The disease is typically found in adults, and doctors and neurosurgeons have told Devon's family that if he has NF2, he would be the youngest current patient - and the second-youngest in Canadian history - to have the disorder.

But the good news is the tumours aren't malignant, so although Devon could be facing a lifetime of invasive surgeries, there's little chance the tumours will spread to his other organs.

Devon's journey through the corridors and bedrooms of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) began in late March. The family had noticed that Devon, who was finishing his first year of kindergarten at Sacred Heart School, had started staggering as he walked.

They took him to see a pediatrician, who ordered Devon to undergo a CAT scan.

That scan revealed what Gillet described as a large "fuzziness" in the back of Devon's head.

He was sent to CHEO for further tests, including an MRI. The results of the MRI were shocking. There were a small horde of tumours in Devon's head: one on his right optic nerve, a lesion on his left temporal lobe, two lesions on his spine, and a large, baseball-sized mass that, in Gillet's words, had compressed Devon's brain stem "down to the thinness of a sheet of paper."

The doctors at CHEO told the family that since it looked like the tumour had pierced Devon's brain stem, their only available option was to provide "comfort measures" for their son.

Gillet, a nurse for the past 24 years, and familiar with medical lingo, knew precisely what that meant: palliative care.

"I told the neurosurgeon that Devon would defy all the odds, and that he would be a case (the neurosurgeon) would write a paper about," said Gillet.

On April 4, Devon was wheeled in for his first surgery to "debulk" the large tumour. Gillet was told by the surgeons that the risk of neurological impairment, or worse, meant that they'd likely only be able to get a biopsy.

But after 13 long hours, the neurosurgeon emerged with two pieces of good news. First, he said, they had been able to remove 60-70 per cent of the tumour.

Second - and more significantly - when they cut into Devon's skull, they found that the tumour hadn't infiltrated Devon's brain stem.

Gillet remembers Devon's neurosurgeon showing her the post-surgery MRI image of her son's brain.

"I could see the space between the tumour and the brain stem," she recalls, smiling. "I said, 'That changes the diagnosis, doesn't it?' He said, 'Yes, yes it does!'"

The biopsy showed Devon's tumour to be a large meningioma - a common benign brain tumour that usually strikes people over the age of 60. Devon's older sister, Krista, recalled the turbulent emotions she and the rest of her family went through in the days before and after that first surgery.

"The day before the surgery, I said, 'I don't know what to do,' in pure agony," she said. "The day -after- the surgery, I said, 'I don't know what to do,' in pure joy!"

Devon underwent a second surgery on April 25 to remove a further 20 per cent of the tumour.

Krista now has a website devoted to the story of Devon's time at CHEO and his swift recovery.

The site canbe found at www.geocities.com/krista_gillet/Devon.

After that second surgery, he could barely speak or swallow, and for about four days could only eat through a feeding tube. (That tube is now gone.)

While the optic nerve tumour has left Devon permanently blind in his right eye, and he faces a lifetime of surgeries to excise any new tumours, the family said he should have an otherwise fairly normal life.

The genetic testing is important, not only to satisfy their curiosity, but to let Devon know about the risks of passing the chromosome containing the NF2 gene along to his children, said Gillet.

Looking back, Gillet realizes there were signs the family missed that something wasn't quite right with Devon.

He had occasional dizzy spells, avoided swing sets, and unlike most other children, hated being spun upside down by adults.

As a nurse, she said, she'd often counselled and comforted other patients who were facing possibly terminal illnesses.

But the support from the community made Gillet realizing that coping with her own child's illness - something she never imagined she could do before - was, in fact, possible.

"You know what? You do (learn to cope)," said Gillet. "He's your child. You dig down deep, and find what (strength) you need to find."

Fast Facts: The skinny on the scourge of NF2

The less common of the two neurofibromatoses, NF2 affects about one out of every 40,000 people. Patients with NF2 generally have benign tumours growing along both sides of the eighth cranial nerve, which is responsible for hearing and plays a role in maintaining balance. The tumours, called vestibular schwannomas, can press up against neighbouring nerves, and cause such symptoms as headaches, facial numbness, tinnitis (ringing in the ears) and poor balance.

Signs of NF2 may be present in children, but are often not noticed until the early adult years. Because the disease is so rare, there are few studies that have tracked its progression; one recent study has shown that an earlier age of onset is associated with faster-growing tumours and a higher risk of mortality.

NF2 can also be passed genetically from parents to children.

(Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

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Related NINDS Publications

• Neurofibromatosis Fact Sheet
  Neurofibromatosis fact sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

• NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE IN CHILDREN: Neurofibromatosis
  NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE IN CHILDREN

• Defining the Future of Neurofibromatosis Research
  Summary of an NINDS workshop, "Defining the Future of Neurofibromatosis Research," May 4-5, 2000.

Synonym(s):   Von Recklinghausen's Disease
Condensed from Neurofibromatosis Fact Sheet

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What is Neurofibromatosis?
The neurofibromatoses are genetic disorders of the nervous system that primarily affect the development and growth of neural (nerve) cell tissues. These disorders cause tumors to grow on nerves and produce other abnormalities such as skin changes and bone deformities. Although many affected persons inherit the disorder, between 30 and 50 percent of new cases arise spontaneously through mutation (change) in an individual's genes. Once this change has taken place, the mutant gene can be passed on to succeeding generations. Scientists have classified the disorders as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). NF1 is the more common type of the neurofibromatoses. In diagnosing NF1, a physician looks for changes in skin appearance, tumors, or bone abnormalities, and/or a parent, sibling, or child with NF1. Symptoms of NF1, particularly those on the skin, are often evident at birth or during infancy and almost always by the time a child is about 10 years old. NF2 is less common. NF2 is characterized by bilateral (occurring on both sides of the body) tumors on the eighth cranial nerve. The tumors cause pressure damage to neighboring nerves. To determine whether an individual has NF2, a physician looks for bilateral eighth nerve tumors and similar signs and symptoms in a parent, sibling, or child. Affected individuals may notice hearing loss as early as the teen years. Other early symptoms may include tinnitus (ringing noise in the ear) and poor balance. Headache, facial pain, or facial numbness, caused by pressure from the tumors, may also occur.

Is there any treatment?

Treatments for both NF1 and NF2 are presently aimed at controlling symptoms. Surgery can help some NF1 bone malformations and remove painful or disfiguring tumors; however, there is a chance that the tumors may grow back and in greater numbers. In the rare instances when tumors become malignant (3 to 5 percent of all cases), treatment may include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. For NF2, improved diagnostic technologies, such as MRI, can reveal tumors as small as a few millimeters in diameter, thus allowing early treatment. Surgery to remove tumors completely is one option but may result in hearing loss. Other options include partial removal of tumors, radiation, and if the tumors are not progressing rapidly, the conservative approach of watchful waiting. Genetic testing is available for families with documented cases of NF1 and NF2. New (spontaneous) mutations cannot be confirmed genetically. Prenatal diagnosis of familial NF1 or NF2 is also possible utilizing amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling procedures.

What is the prognosis?

In most cases, symptoms of NF1 are mild, and patients live normal and productive lives. In some cases, however, NF1 can be severely debilitating. In some cases of NF2, the damage to nearby vital structures, such as other cranial nerves and the brainstem, can be life-threatening.

What research is being done?

Several years ago, research teams located the exact position of the NF1 gene on chromosome 17. The product of the NF1 gene is a large and complex protein called neurofibromin. One portion of this protein is similar to a family of proteins called GAP (guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein). Scientists have demonstrated that GAP proteins play a significant role in tumor suppression in certain cancers. The similarity of the NF1 protein to GAP proteins suggests that the NF1 protein may have a similar switching role in the development of neurofibromas. Scientists theorize that defects in the gene may lessen or inhibit the normal output of its protein and allow the irregular cell growth that may lead to tumor development. Intensive efforts have led to the identification of the NF2 gene on chromosome 22. The NF2 gene product is a tumor suppressor protein. Basic studies in molecular genetics may lead one day to nonsurgical or pharmacologic treatments aimed at retarding or suppressing tumors associated with the neurofibromatoses. The Interinstitute Medical Genetics Research Program at the NIH Clinical Center conducts NF2 family history research. Using specimens from some of the families, scientists have isolated and sequenced the NF2 gene and have described two different patterns of clinical features in NF2 patients. Investigators are continuing to study these patterns to see if they correspond to specific types of gene mutations.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

Organizations

Children's Tumor Foundation 95 Pine Street 16th Floor New York, NY   10005 info@ctf.org http://www.ctf.org Tel: 800-323-7938 212-344-6633 Fax: 212-747-0004	National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 6116 Executive Boulevard, Ste. 3036A, MSC 8322 Bethesda, MD   20892-8322 cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov http://cancer.gov Tel: 800-4-CANCER (422-6237) 800-332-8615 (TTY)
Neurofibromatosis, Inc. (NF Inc.) P.O. Box 18246 Minneapolis, MN   55418 nfinfo@nfinc.org http://www.nfinc.org Tel: 301-918-4600 800-942-6825	Acoustic Neuroma Association 600 Peachtree Parkway Suite 108 Cumming, GA   30041 info@anausa.org http://www.anausa.org Tel: 770-205-8211 877-200-8211 Fax: 770-205-0239/877-202-0239
International RadioSurgery Association 3002 N. Second Street Harrisburg, PA   17110 office1@irsa.org http://www.irsa.org Tel: 717-260-9808 Fax: 717-260-9809

Publicaciones en Español

• Las Neurofibromatosis

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Last updated December 13, 2007

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