At age 35, Cody Eaves, a manager at a local bbq restaurant, was diagnosed with NF2. After a trip back to the dentist office thinking the numbness in his mouth was from a recent root canal, but instead, an MRI found bilateral acoustic neuroma. He ended up having brain surgery at age 36 to remove the 2.7 cm tumor on his left auditory nerve, which left him deaf in the left ear, with with some facial paralysis.

The news of his new diagnosis of NF2 prompted some lifestyle changes. He picked up running, and lost over 50lbs. His wife jokes that they must have crossed some wires around during surgery. He’s completed multiple half marathons, a half Ironman, and has just finished his 7th marathon, with no end in sight. Cody says although he would not choose to have NF, NF has given him a better outlook on life. He thanks God for everyday he gets to spend with his family and friends, and the ability to run for the NF Endurance team to raise awareness for a cure.