Art auction in West Hempstead raises more than $2,000 to fight Neurofibromatosis

Every year, Krissy Diaz, 24, of West Hempstead, gears up to run the Long Island Marathon for the Children’s Tumor Foundation Neurofibromatosis (NF) Endurance Team by hosting an event to raise money for the foundation.

This year, Diaz, who was diagnosed with Type II Neurofibromatosis at age 8, hosted an art auction in the West Hempstead Middle School cafeteria on April 15 to benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) medical foundation dedicated to improving the health and well being of individuals affected by Neurofibromatosis — a rare genetic disorder that is characterized by multiple tumors on the cranial and spinal nerves, and lesions of the brain and spinal cord.

Diaz faces another symptom of the disorder — hearing loss, which she has had since graduating high school at age 18. Currently, Diaz is enrolled at Hofstra University, where she is working toward earning her Master’s Degree in Creative Art Therapy.

“It is a personal cause for me,” Diaz said. “I want to show other people, kids and adults, that although you have neurofibromatosis you can overcome great obstacles and create something new and exciting for yourself.”

“She needs all the support she can possibly get,” said Diaz’s grandmother, Eileen Licausi. “I give her an A for effort, I really do.”

Approximately 60 people, including Diaz’s family and friends, attended the event, and raised more than $2,000 in just two hours by auctioning off 100 pieces of donated art, selling Children’s Tumor Foundation bracelets and holding a 50/50 raffle. The two highest selling pieces of the night were one of Diaz’s own, “Hand Silent Love,” and “Strawberry Fields (John Lennon Memorial)” by Lindsay Koffler, 24, a native New Yorker and graduate of SUNY University. Both pieces sold for $110 each.

Howard Robins, president of the West Hempstead Rotary Club, won the 50/50 raffle of $405. “We first met Krissy this year,” he said. “We sponsored her in her first race so she could go to a marathon through the Tumor Foundation, and we’re sponsoring this night so she could have this place.”

“I have to say, Krissy has done 90 percent of the work, we just gave her some funds, but she has done an amazing job,” added Linett Gordon, a member of the West Hempstead Rotary Club, who also has neurofibromatosis.

In addition to the West Hempstead Rotary Club, the event was sponsored by Blick Art Supplies, Sandy’s Party Supplies, Reisterer’s Bakery, LaRosa Pizzeria, Stop & Shop Supermarket in West Hempstead, Dunkin Donuts in Franklin Square, Monreale Bakery, A&S Bagels, National Wholesale Liquidators, and Best Yet Market.