We would like to welcome these new chapters around the U.S.to the RFTS Family!

RFTS Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky chapter
Leader- Trisha Brearton, email: trisha.brearton@hotmail.com

The Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky RFTS chapter has been very active in raising Cerebral Palsy awareness for over a year now. This chapter, now led by Trisha Brearton, celebrated several CP Awareness Days in conjunction with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.  They have partnered with local Kroger Grocery Stores to do lemonade stands, participated in Disability Employment Awareness Day in downtown Cincinnati, and is helping support the first ever CP Expo in Cincinnati this year!

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky chapter holds regular meetings, so if you’re a parent of a child with CP in the Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area, please contact Trisha Brearton to get involved. They would love to have you!!

RFTS Columbus, OH

CP Parent Columbus, A Family Resource Group for Cerebral Palsy
Leaders – Patty Lyons, email: p.lyons@sbcglobal.net
Lynn Fogel, email: lfogel@insight.rr.com,
This group of wonderful parents had a CP parent group already up and running before joining forces with RFTS.  We are thrilled they decided to join forces with us and become a RFTS Chapter. The new Columbus RFTS chapter held a very successful CP Awareness Day at a local mall this past March. The Columbus RFTS chapter is doing wonderful things!  Please contact either Patty Lyons or Lynn Fogel to get involved or learn more about the chapter activities. 

RFTS Chicago, Illinois
Leader: Michelle Carol-Piver, email: cpmom3@hotmail.com
Anne Marie Splitstone, email: thesplitstones@gmail.com

One of our newest official RFTS chapter just launched this past fall in Chicago led by Michelle Carol-Piver and Anne Marie Splitstone.  They are bringing all of Chicagoland together to meet the needs of families with children with cerebral palsy.  In conjunction with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Michelle and Anne Marie organized a very successful and well-attended family picnic. Please contact Michelle or Anne Marie for more information!

RFTS New York
Leader Sheri Moreno, email: slmoreno19@aol.com

After a very successful inaugural conference coordinated by Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, NY this past fall, upstate New York families are ready to move forward with launching a RFTS Chapter.  This active group of families has already made significant contributions increasing Cerebral Palsy awareness, assisting RFTS and securing corporate assistance.
If you would like to help or get involved, please contact Sheri Moreno.

Washington D.C.
A family is interested in starting a RFTS chapter in Washington D.C. and would love your help. If live in this area and want to get involved in launching a new RFTS please contact:
Joe and Jennifer Moore
Home: 301/913-2913
Work: 301/986-0840
Email: jmoore@vetlawyers.com

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Although not an official RFTS chapter quite yet, this active and committed group of families is coordinating a major comedy night April 24th with well-known comedian of “Last Comic Standing” and CP fame, Josh Blue www.joshblue.com ,and special guest Michael Kutcher (yes, Ashton’s twin brother!) who is active in the Cedar Rapids community and also has CP.   This fundraising event will be called “Laugh Yourself ‘Blue’ for Cerebral Palsy”.

The date is set for Saturday, April 24, 2010, from 6pm – Midnight at the Clarion Hotel.  The event will feature an appetizer dinner/dessert, wine tasting, a live and silent auction, comedian Josh Blue (winner of Last Comic Standing 2006 and has Cerebral Palsy), and live music.   The goal is to raise $20,000 to further the Reaching for the Stars mission of creating new medicines and treatments for children with Cerebral Palsy.  Corporate sponsors so far are United Fire Group and Justice Electric.

If you live in the Cedar Rapids area, or just want to make a fun road trip…..please make plans to attend on April 24th!  You’ll laugh yourself silly and support a great cause.  
Contact Kristi Trotter, email: aknbitrotter@msn.com
Home # 319.378.1901
Cell # 319.551.2787