Meet our Cause Partner: Penny's Flight Foundation
Step into a world of optimism as we warmly introduce you to Penny's Flight Foundation. We invite you to explore this inspiring charity that shares the lessons of Penny Doerge’s short but beautiful life that was defined by joy and positivity and to consider extending your hand in generosity. You can become the wind beneath the wings of progress, and you can make a profound impact in the fight against NF cancer and related disorders.
Introducing serafina’s impact rewards program
meet our cause partner
penny’s flight foundation
We are delighted to announce our Impact Rewards Program in honor of Penny Doerge.
Let’s take flight together.
How it Works
Encouraging Mobility and Independence
The Penny Doerge Adaptive Academy (PDAA) at HSS Lerner Children’s Pavilion, organizes local, regional and national adaptive programs for kids and teens facing a range of disabilities. These events help patients realize new skills and interests, reinforce therapy goals and allow patients to socialize with other patients. Examples of past PDAA events include skiing, surfing and indoor rock climbing. These experiences encourage mobility and independence and often result in increased self-esteem, self-confidence and motivation to live fuller, more active lives.
About Penny's Flight
Step into the world of absolute joy and positivity as we warmly welcome you to Penny's Flight. A heartfelt organization that teaches one of life’s most important lessons; that being broken is part of the human condition, the trick is to figure out how to make it beautiful, as Penny Doerge did in her short but extraordinary life.
Penny’s Flight is making tremendous strides in supporting NF cancer research and igniting the flames of hope for this underfunded disease and related disorders. Their journey is one of relentless commitment, for their beloved Penny and all the children and families that are going through similar tragedies and struggles. By supporting Penny’s Flight you can become wind beneath the wings of progress, and make a profound impact in the fight against NF cancer and related disorders.
Penny's Purpose
Throughout her young life, Penny Doerge had 15 different surgeries on her brain and leg. Many of her friends had no idea. This was not the result of Penny hiding her condition out of shame; it was quite the opposite. Instead of fear and sadness she chose joy, humor and bravery as her way of life — every day. Penny never once complained about her challenges.
Penny was joy personified.
Penny’s Medical Journey
As an infant, Penny was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF) following a tumble off her parents bed that resulted in a small fracture of her tibia bone. It was quickly determined that this was not just an everyday fracture, but a symptom of a much more complex and rare disorder. NF can manifest in a variety of ways — some people never know they have it and others can have debilitating symptoms for life. Penny’s main symptom was a bone disorder called Pseudarthrosis in her tibia, confusing her body to believe there should be a joint in the middle of the tibia bone.
At 15 months Penny had the first of many surgeries on her right leg. She was in a full body cast for six months (while in diapers!) and ultimately wore a brace on her leg for her entire life. The doctors at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS Lerner Children’s Pavilion) not only saved Penny from losing a leg, they allowed her to dance, do cartwheels, jump the waves and generally to shine her brightest light.
YOUR SUPPORT, IN ANY CAPACITY - IS TRULY APPRECIATED
Contact us for more information or click the links below.
WHAT IS NEUROFIBROMATOSIS?
Neurofibromatosis, also known as NF, is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways anywhere in the body. There are three types of neurofibromatoses – NF1, NF2, and Schwannomatosis. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is the most common single gene disorder in humans, occurring in about 30 to 40 in 100,000 births worldwide. It is more common than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington’s disease combined. NF can manifest in a variety of ways — some people never know they have it and others can have debilitating symptoms for life.