After suddenly losing vision and feeling in her body, Sumaira was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system resulting in vision loss and paralysis. Two months after her diagnosis, she started The Sumaira Foundation (TSF), a now global nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of rare neuroimmune disorders, building communities of support for patients and their caregivers, funding research and advocating on behalf of patients. TSF is proud to be patient-led, patient-powered, science-driven and therapy-agnostic. The organization is proud to call 102 patients, caregivers and clinicians TSF Ambassadors representing 35 countries. 

A Personal Message from Teresa Clark (TSF Ambassador):

"Over 4 years ago, in May 2022, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called NMO - Neuromyelitis Optica. 

This 5k has been something I've wanted to do for years now, so I'm excited to finally begin this annual race to raise awareness. 

Early detection of NMO improves quality of life!" Read more on Terry's Story Here: https://www.sumairafoundation.org/terrys-nmo-story-the-perfect-storm/

Since 2018, TSF has funded $1m in rare neuroimmune disorder research, fellowship and journal publications as a result of grassroot fundraising. The aim of the 5K is to raise enough funds to support 2 additional research projects in 2025 through the Foundation’s SPARK and Unicorn grants. Explore TSF's research portfolio: https://www.sumairafoundation.org/tsf-funded-research/