"As a child psychiatrist, I have assisted children who have struggled with genetic disorders, including Neurofibromatosis," Gomez said. "When I learned of the opportunity to increase awareness for the Children's Tumor Foundation via my passion of auto racing, my support was without hesitation or reservation."

The doctors will be splitting time with Wolf Henzler of Nürtingen, Germany, Richard Campollo of Dominican Republic, and Daniel Graeff of Miami, Florida as they drive the Farnbacher Loles No. 85 Children's Tumor Foundation Porsche GT3 at the 47th running of the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona, the nation's premier automotive endurance race. Each lap the team completes will raise money pledged by donors to the Children's Tumor Foundation's Racing4Research program (www.racing4research.org), a program that raises money for clinical trials of potential NF drug treatments.

"The endurance aspect of the race is similar to the endurance aspect of leading a life with neurofibromatosis," said George Orfanakos, CTF Executive Director. "After 24 straight hours of racing the cars are very beat up and very run down. The Children's Tumor Foundation is competing in a race to prevent children from suffering the potentially devastating effects that a lifetime of neurofibromatosis can have on the body and these doctors are helping make sure we win the race."

About The Children's Tumor Foundation
Founded in 1978, The Children's Tumor Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well being of more than 100,000 Americans living with neurofibromatosis (NF). Our research program has played a key role in the discovery of the genes that cause NF, understanding the biology of NF, creation of The NF Clinic Network and preclinical screening of promising drug compounds to treat the disorder.