HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Dozens gathered at Blevins Gap Nature Preserve to raise awareness about PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome Saturday.
Kristin Anthony has spent the past 15 years battling the effects of a disease commonly known as PTEN. The chronic disease has impacted her family for generations – first her mother, and now her daughter.
Monrovia Volunteer Fire and Rescue gets first ladder truck
Her experience has led her to start the PTEN Foundation in an effort to fight through her own struggle while raising awareness for others.
“I personally wanted to show the community that even when you’re faced with terrible circumstances, you can do great things,” Anthony said.
PTEN is a chronic disease that causes cellular overgrowth, which can eventually cause tumors and cancer to develop.
Saturday, Anthony and a group of supporters met at Blevins Gap to raise awareness and money for research. Anthony says fighting this illness is a “community effort.”