My son, Cooper Peterson was diagnosed with NF1 February 26th, 2015, just a couple days shy of 11 months old. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a condition characterized by changes in skin coloring (pigmentation) and the growth of tumors along nerves in the skin, brain, and other parts of the body. At that time he was also diagnosed with a brain tumor, more specifically a bilateral Optic Glioma – a tumor that grows on the optic nerves. Due to the aggressiveness of this tumor, Cooper was immediately started on chemotherapy. Within about six weeks of starting chemotherapy, Cooper lost his vision to the tumor. He is completely blind. After nine months of chemotherapy, Cooper’s tumor had grown substantially and was causing fluid to build up in his brain (hydrocephalus). . A biopsy of his tumor at that time showed it to be a Diffuse Fibrillary Astrocytoma. Neither surgery nor radiation are an option for treatment of this tumor. Cooper will turn nine years old this year, a milestone that we thought we may never see. Cancer and Neurofibromatosis has greatly affect his life and ours and Brave the Shave has been there every step of the way supporting and encouraging us. Please help out my team, Cooper’s Crew, in supporting this great cause.