neon extreme

 Now is the time to show your true neon and support "Neon Extreme."

Blogger and photographer Cheryl Spark's daughter founded Neon Extreme in honor of her Father.

 In 2011, 12 friends were inspired by Alexandra Sparks' father Kenny and his battle with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). They were looking to raise funding for research and awareness for this horrible disease so They joined together and formed a running team and they call themselves Neon Extreme.  They set a goal to run in the Cape Relay, a 190-mile relay race that started in Quincy, MA and finished in Provincetown, Cape Cod while raising $15,000 for FTD research.  That year, the team far surpassed thier goal, raising over $25,000.

In 2012, Neon Extreme tripled in size, growing to 36 runners.  Fundraising aspirations grew as well and the team raised $50,000 for cutting edge FTD research while running a combined 570 miles in 24 hours.

 Neon extreme circles.

Alexandra Sparks in the middle and friends,

Sharing the journey of life and showing support for neon extreme.

In the third year they've grown once more.  This year the group of 72 runners will run a total of 1,140 miles (the equivalent of running from Boston, MA to Jacksonville, FL) over 24 hours on May 3rd and 4th while they attempt to raise $100,000 for FTD research.

I have been reading Cheryl's blog for a few years now and always appreciate the comments left on my blog.  Although we have not met in person, I do look forward to the day we meet.  Having read Cheryl's blog, I have felt a close connection to her journey of love, loss and honoring a life taken too soon by Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD)

I sent off a package for a raffle, the above illustration, some notes, a tote and a fun wooden tray with a neon border that I found at one of my nearby shops, maisonette shoppe.

Read more about project Neon Extreme in New York City this evening.

photos from Cheryl Sparks