A New Generation of NF Warriors Launch SketchNF

Shilp Shah                 Sahil Shah
shilp@sketchnf.org         sahil@sketchnf.org

Thank you to the 2024 participants!

If you have interest in participating in next years auction or have any additional questions, please email: sahil@sketchnf.org or shilp@sketchnf.org. For more information about SketchNF visit: www.sketchnf.org

Instagram: @sketchnf_

OUR MISSION
One Sketch at a Time

SketchNF is dedicated to raising funds and creating a network for pediatric NF patients one sketch at a time.

Our mission is to EMPOWER children within the pediatric NF community by allowing them to share their voice and stories through art. By auctioning off these art pieces, each child will directly be contributing to the FUNDRAISING towards NF research and support groups. We hope that as each child shares their unique story, it will raise AWARENESS for what NF is and how it affects children and their families. As the number of children who participate grows, so will our COMMUNITY, and we hope to create an online platform from SketchNF that is aimed towards connecting children with the disorder so that no one will ever feel alone in this fight.

As each child’s unique story is shared through art, we hope that people can better understand the impact NF has on each of their precious lives.

So how does this work?

We sent out individual packages FREE OF COST that contain directions and a starter kit of supplies for each kid to create their artwork and talk about their story (they can use their own supplies as well!). Using the return envelope we provided, sketches were sent back to us framed and auctioned off during NF Awareness Month. At the end of the auction, the artwork went to the highest bidder. Additionally, the creator of the drawing that raises the most money was given a prize courtesy of NF Network!

OUR START

I was 14 when Sahil told me he had tumors in his neck. Diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 at the age of 1, he had been symptom-free until the age of 9. Over the next 7 years, I watched helplessly as he endured nights of splitting migraines, wracking neck pain, and even surgery to remove the tumors in his skull. I did my best to support him but I could never truly understand what he was going through; he needed people that could empathize with his situation. But as we looked online, it was difficult to find an accessible pediatric NF community, something that would make him feel not alone in this fight. I wanted to make a change for other kids like Sahil. This was the birth of SketchNF. 

SUPPORTED BY

Currently Supported by NF Network, Boston Children's Hospital, UCLA, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, and the University of Utah.